While medicine regulators decide if it should be prescribed by the NHS, drug company Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) will give new breast cancer drug to women in the UK for free.
Described as one of the most important advances in the past 20 years, Pfizer will give palbociclib free of charge to patients.
In the meantime, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are awaiting further clinical data from the drug company before supplying to the NHS.
“This is an unexpected lifeline for thousands of women living with this type of breast cancer. We are delighted that Pfizer have listened to our campaigners and have found a way to enable patients to access this first-in-class drug in the short term,” said Fiona Hazell, director of policy and engagement at the charity Breast Cancer Now.
“While only an interim measure, more than 16 women every day could have their lives changed by this drug during this window. Palbociclib can offer a large proportion of patients with incurable metastatic breast cancer significant extra time before their disease progresses – time that can be truly invaluable to them and their loved ones.”
Currently, a course of the drug will cost the NHS £79,560. The ICR and Breast Cancer Now are urging Pfizer to reduce the cost.
The drug company have previously been fined for their drug hikes, costing the tax payer millions.
The free programme will be open for five months. Pfizer has confirmed that women who have signed up to the medicine will be treated for the full course.
“Pfizer believes women with metastatic breast cancer deserve access as soon as possible to this innovative medicine that has been shown to significantly increase progression-free survival,” said a spokesperson for the drug company.
“Acknowledging calls from physicians and patient groups across the UK for timely access to palbociclib, Pfizer has made the decision, in this instance, to provide palbociclib free of charge whilst the appraisal process continues.”
The drug has already been tested on 666 women.