NICE (UK) reverses decision against Bavencio to treat urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer)
The UK National Institute for Care and Health Excellence (NICE) has reversed a previous decision to recommend against the routine NHS use of Merck KGaA and Pfizer’s Bavencio (avelumab), the first and only first-line monotherapy maintenance treatment for patients living with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) who have responded to platinum chemotherapy.
NICE initially rejected the medicine in May 2021, meaning it was not available via NHS reimbursement, or the Cancer Drugs Fund. However, following appeals by Merck and Pfizer alongside patient organisations and advocacy groups, NICE has revisited and overturned this decision on this first of a kind maintenance treatment for eligible bladder cancer patients, which will allow them to access the treatment on the NHS.
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