England: The Cancer Drugs Fund: Guidance to support operation of the Cancer Drugs Fund in 2012-13 : Department of Health - Publications

 Blogger's Note: this is primarily an administrative document, patient/consumer searches for specific drugs are not part of this guidance report

The Cancer Drugs Fund: Guidance to support operation of the Cancer Drugs Fund in 2012-13 : Department of Health - Publications

• Document type:
  Guidance
• Author:
  Department of Health
• Published date:
  23 April 2012
• Primary audience:
  Health and social care professionals
• Publication format:
  A4: electronic format only
• Gateway reference:
  17340
• Pages:
  14
• Supersedes/replaces:
  The Cancer Drugs Fund
• Copyright holder:
  Crown

This document provides guidance to support operation of the Cancer Drugs Fund in 2012-13. It replaces previous guidance for operation of the Cancer Drugs Fund in 2011/12. The Cancer Drugs Fund applies in England only.

• Download The Cancer Drugs Fund: Guidance to support operation of the Cancer Drugs Fund in 2012-13 (PDF, 123K)
• More about publications from the DH

Avastin: New Ovarian Cancer Drug Approved By European Medicines Watchdog Gives New Hope To Sufferers | UK News + link to Cancer Drugs Fund in England/UK

"We are delighted that Avastin is now available to women across the country."
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has yet to consider the drugs for routine use by the NHS.
But it is available through the Cancer Drugs Fund in England. Doctors in other parts of the UK can make individual applications for funding.

Comparison of Anticancer Drug Coverage Decisions in the United States and United Kingdom: Does the Evidence Support the Rhetoric? -- Mason et al. 28 (20): 3234 -- Journal of Clinical Oncology

Conclusion
Anticancer drug coverage decisions that consider cost effectiveness are associated with greater restrictions and slower time to coverage. However, this approach may represent an explicit alternative to rationing achieved through the use of patient copayments.