Drugs “refund” scheme proposed for England and Wales

The drugs advisory body for England and Wales has recommended a “refund” scheme in which the manufacturer of bortezomib (Velcade) would reimburse the NHS for the cost of the drug in patients who do not respond to treatment.

The refund scheme, proposed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), could signal a way for the NHS to cope with funding the rapidly growing range of new and expensive drugs. It was suggested by the company making bortezomib, Janssen-Cilag, as part of its appeal against NICE's previous recommendation that the drug was not cost effective.

NICE's independent advisory committee agreed and recommended in draft guidance published this week that all suitable patients with progressive multiple myeloma should be offered bortezomib. Patients who show a full or partial response should continue treatment, …