Written question asked by Siobhain McDonagh (Labour) on Friday, 17 February 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 February 2017. It was answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 February 2017 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Palbociclib

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with metastatic breast cancer patients on the future availability of the Ibrance form of the drug palbociclib.

Answer: Through its technology appraisal programme, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides independent, evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on whether drugs and treatments represent a clinically and cost effective use of NHS resources. NICE is currently appraising palbociclib in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for treating hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in adults. NICE published its draft guidance on 3 February and stakeholders have until 24 February to comment on its draft recommendations. NICE expects to publish its final guidance in June 2017.

Secondary information