What's Happening?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of bevacizumab, in combination with chemotherapy, for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in England and Wales.
This decision follows the availability of lower-cost biosimilar versions of the drug, which have made it more cost-effective. Previously, NICE did not recommend bevacizumab due to its high cost relative to its benefits. The approval aligns England and Wales with Scotland, where the drug was approved earlier. Bevacizumab, originally marketed as Avastin by Roche, is now available from several biosimilar manufacturers.
Why It's Important?
The approval of bevacizumab for colorectal cancer treatment represents a significant expansion of treatment options for patients in England and Wales. With approximately 35,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed annually in England, and nearly 10,000 of those being metastatic, the availability of bevacizumab could benefit over 7,000 patients. The use of biosimilars not only reduces treatment costs but also increases accessibility, potentially improving patient outcomes and extending survival times. This decision underscores the importance of biosimilars in making effective treatments more widely available.
