Life-Extending Drug Enhertu Now on NHS for Thousands of Breast Cancer Patients

In a significant breakthrough for healthcare in England, thousands of women battling incurable HER2-low advanced breast cancer will now have access to a life-extending drug called Enhertu through the NHS. This pivotal development comes after successful negotiations over the drug's cost between ministers, NHS England, and the pharmaceutical firms AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.

Approximately 1,000 women each year are expected to benefit from this treatment, which was made available starting Thursday. This news brings immense hope, particularly as clinical trials have demonstrated Enhertu's remarkable effectiveness. The drug has been shown to nearly double median progression-free survival, extending it from 5.1 months to 9.9 months compared to standard chemotherapy.

Even more significantly, it has been found to increase median overall survival by 6.6 months, from 16.8 months to 23.4 months, offering patients invaluable extra time with their loved ones. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises the NHS on cost-effectiveness, had previously rejected Enhertu in July 2024, citing its high price.

However, a "commercial solution" was reached following renewed negotiations, leading to a U-turn on their initial decision.

This change was partly facilitated by NICE's increased flexibility to recommend treatments costing up to £35,000 per patient annually, up from the previous £30,000 limit. The availability of Enhertu is a testament to the persistent efforts of various groups.

Claire Rowney, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Now, hailed it as a "momentous day" and a "milestone victory," acknowledging the two years of determined campaigning by charities, cancer specialists, and patients themselves. Dr. Anne Rigg, a consultant medical oncologist and NHS England's national speciality adviser for chemotherapy, also welcomed the "hugely positive news." Enhertu works as a targeted treatment, specifically delivering chemotherapy directly to cancer cells.

Dr. Catherine Elliott, Cancer Research UK's director of research, explained that for people with HER2-low advanced breast cancer whose disease has progressed, Enhertu can significantly help them live longer and delay the worsening of their condition. While England celebrates this advancement, Enhertu has already been available in Scotland since December 2023 and in 27 other European countries, highlighting the collaborative effort to ensure its accessibility.

This breakthrough marks a vital step forward in providing advanced care for breast cancer patients in England, offering extended lives and renewed hope.

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