NICE draft guidance now approves Zytiga (J&J Janssen Cilag) for Prostate Cancer

NICE has issued new draft guidance recommending the use by the NHS of Zytiga (abiraterone acetate), from J&J Janssen Cilag, in patients with Prostate Cancer. After additional information about the drug was submitted to NICE by the company, the treatment will now be made routinely available for patients on the NHS. NICE had previously rejected the drug because it did not offer value for money however this update included a revised patient access scheme which involves providing the drug to the NHS at a discounted price. The draft guidance has been passed on to consultees, who have the opportunity to appeal against it. NHS bodies will make funding decisions locally until NICE issues its final guidance on the drug.