NICE recommends 4p breast cancer drug for healthy women
pharmafile | November 29, 2016 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing |Â Â NICE, anastrozole, breast cancerÂ
NICE has published new draft guidance calling for women with a strong family history of breast cancer to be offered anastrozole in order to reduce the risk of developing the disease themselves.
The decision was based on evidence which showed that, if 1,000 at-risk women took the drug for five years, 35 cases could be prevented, compared to only 21 using tamoxifen.
Professor Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at NICE, said of the statement: “Our draft guideline update recommends the use of anastrozole as a first line treatment for postmenopausal women at high or medium risk of breast cancer who don’t have osteoporosis. The evidence examined by the committee suggests anastrozole will not only reduce the number of breast cancer cases in these women compared to tamoxifen, but it is also a more cost-effective option.”
Anastrozole is currently listed as costing £1.19 for 28 tablets, which equates to just 4p per pill. Of the three drugs available alongside tamoxifen and raloxifene, it is the cheapest and has even been noted as more effective with fewer side effects in some cases; tamoxifen use has been linked to an increased risk of blood-clotting diseases and womb cancer, while trials have shown anastrozole to avoid these issues.
However, anastrozole would not be suitable in every instance; the drug can inhibit oestrogen levels in pre-menopausal patients and can have an effect on bone strength, making it unsuitable for sufferers of osteoporosis.
Breast cancer pills are known to produce very common side effects including hot flushes. Breast cancer currently affects one in eight women in the UK.
Matt Fellows
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