Claire Rowney, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“We’re deeply concerned that thousands of people with early breast cancer could miss out on access to a vital type of treatment due to uncertainties around cost-effectiveness.[1]
“Despite the promising potential for adjuvant ribociclib to cut the risk of cancer coming back by almost a third (28.5%), today’s decision means only certain people with high-risk node positive disease, and none with high-risk node negative disease, would receive it.[2]
“While drug approvals are always welcome, it’s disappointing that so many people could be denied access to this vital treatment and the chance to alleviate some anxiety about their cancer returning.
“NICE and Novartis must urgently work together to resolve the uncertainties around cost-effectiveness, to ensure a swift change to guidance so that everyone who could benefit can receive adjuvant ribociclib. The Scottish Medicines Consortium must also consider the treatment at pace, so that we see it made available to all who need it across the UK.
“Any future introduction of adjuvant ribociclib for more people is expected to add further pressure to already struggling local cancer services, so it’s also vital the government take action to address cancer workforce shortages and deliver interim support to guarantee patients get the treatment they need without delay.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
[1] NICE has approved the use of ribociclib with an aromatase inhibitor for the adjuvant treatment (after initial treatment) of some node positive, HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. But they have rejected its use in patients with node-negative HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence, as well as HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer with 1-3 positive nodes but no other high-risk characteristics. Ribociclib is a CDK 4/6 inhibitor.
[2] HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.
People with node-positive high risk early breast cancer have had access to a CDK 4/6 inhibitor to reduce their risk – abemaciclib with endocrine therapy – since 2022.
Adjuvant ribociclib is not yet available in the rest of the UK. Wales and Northern Ireland usually follow NICE decisions. We expect the SMC will consider adjuvant ribociclib for use in Scotland shortly.
The committee has requested further analyses which will be considered at a second committee meeting in June 2025.