...makes a final decision on whether the drug is to be made available on the NHS.
NICE initially rejected Pfizer's application and provisionally decided that palbociclib should not be routinely funded by NHS England. This decision was met with severe disappointment and anger by many breast cancer groups because the drug has been shown to extend the life of patients with this type of breast cancer by an average of 10 months, when used in combination with another drug.
As a result of the reaction by patient and cancer research organisation to NICE's provisional decision, including well-respected names in the field of innovative cancer research such as the Institute of Cancer Research, Pfizer has announced that it will allow patients free access to the drug until NICE has made its final decision. This offer gives patients the chance to sign up to free access to the drug for around five months, or less if NICE comes back with a decision earlier than expected. Pfizer has confirmed that patients who start treatment on the drug will be able to continue notwithstanding any decision made by NICE.