Breast Cancer Now is demanding urgent action as new NHS drug spending limits create a fresh opportunity to approve the life-extending breast cancer drug Enhertu.
The charity warns that people with incurable metastatic breast cancer are tragically dying while the treatment remains out of reach for thousands of people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Following more than two years of tireless campaigning, the charity, alongside metastatic breast cancer charities METUPUK and Make 2nds Count, is calling on pharmaceutical companies Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca, NICE and NHS England, to reach a deal and make Enhertu available for those who need it now.
‘Enhertu Now’ is the new campaign from Breast Cancer Now, and follows changes to NHS drug spending thresholds, calling for these changes to see access to Enhertu finally being unlocked for those who so desperately need it.
Enhertu is a targeted treatment for people with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer and could extend thousands of lives. But despite being available in Scotland and 26 other European countries, the drug was rejected by NICE in 2024 for use on the NHS in England.
Since then, the devastating reality is that thousands of people have missed out on more time to live, the chance of more time with their loved ones, time to contribute to society.
Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said:
“We’re here, once again, asking for Enhertu to be made available for those who need it, and we urgently need to see this happen, now.
“The tragic reality is that a number of the incredible women who campaigned with us back in 2024 for this treatment to be made available on the NHS have since died, denied the chance to benefit from this drug and live longer.
“While it’s sadly too late for them, a solution must be reached urgently so history doesn’t repeat itself for the women who need access to Enhertu now.
“We’ve spoken to women who’ve exhausted every treatment option available to them while knowing that Enhertu could’ve given them more time; time to see their children grow up, celebrate another birthday, and make precious memories with loved ones.
“Some have spent their savings trying to access Enhertu privately. Others have considered uprooting their lives, leaving their homes and families behind to move to Scotland where the drug is available.
“The government’s decision to increase how much the NHS can spend on new medicines presents a vital opportunity to break this deadlock. But this opportunity requires action now.
“People we hear from aren’t asking for miracles. They’re asking for time. For options. For a fair chance to benefit from innovations in medicine and access to the same effective treatments as women in other parts of the world.
“Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca must urgently work with NICE and NHS England to reach an agreement. People with metastatic breast cancer do not have time to wait.”
Enhertu is the first licensed treatment for HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. Clinical trial data from DESTINY-Breast04 showed the treatment extended overall survival by an average of 6.4 months compared with chemotherapy, while also delaying disease progression. [1]
Breast Cancer Now has tirelessly campaigned for many years to improve access to effective breast cancer treatments and its report Setting the Bar Too High (2025) called for reforms to the drug approval system and changes to NICE’s cost-effectiveness thresholds. [2]
The charity says the government’s updated thresholds are a significant step forward, but that urgent action is needed now, to ensure women living with this devastating disease benefit from this change.
Breast Cancer Now is urgently calling on pharmaceutical companies Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca alongside NICE and the NHS, to seize this chance to put things right and give thousands of people more time to live.
Alison, 62 , from Worthing was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2022 and wants action taken so she can benefit from Enhertu when she needs it.
“Since I started campaigning for Enhertu to be approved, four of my fellow campaigners have died. All women with so much to live for. Women like me with children, families, friends and loved ones. Women who contribute to society in so many different ways.
“If Enhertu had been available to them when we started, they might be alive now, so it’s terrifying to me that when I’ll need it in the future, I won’t be able to access it.
“My latest scan has shown a spread in my pelvis and another area on my spine, so I will be changing treatment to a second line at some point this year. Obviously, there are only so many lines of treatment and this has made me more fearful of not getting Enhertu accepted. It's a horrible headspace to be in.
“When I first heard it was rejected for use on the NHS in England, I was in disbelief. I just couldn’t understand the reasoning.
“Now that the NHS can pay more for drugs, it’s time for the pharmaceutical companies to meet again with NICE and agree a price, for the sake of me, my fellow breast cancer patients and all the women in the future who will need this drug.”
The charity’s Enhertu Now petition is live now and the charity is calling on people to add their name to help urge Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca, NHS England and NICE to reach a deal to make Enhertu available on the NHS, now.
Notes to editors
-
The DESTINY-Breast04 trial found Enhertu increased progression-free survival to a median of 9.9 months compared with 5.1 months for chemotherapy, and overall survival to 23.9 months compared with 17.5 months for chemotherapy.
-
Breast Cancer Now’s report “Setting the Bar Too High” setting-the-bar-too-high-report.pdf