Cabazitaxel will once more be available on the NHS for clinically eligible men with advanced prostate cancer.
Cabazitaxel was de-listed from the Cancer Drugs Fund by NHS England on 12 March. However, in order to support access to cabazitaxel until a formal NICE appraisal outcome, Sanofi and NHS England have come to an agreement that will enable the provision of cabazitaxel to patients in England.
Tarja Stenvall, general manager for Sanofi in the UK and Ireland, said: 'We are very pleased that we have come to an agreement with NHS England to find a solution to enable access to cabazitaxel in England. We aim to do our very best by patients and our commitment to reach this agreement with NHS England was no exception. However, this is an interim measure until the outcome of the NICE re-appraisal which, if positive, will ensure access in the longer term.'
NICE will review the Technology Appraisal for cabazitaxel with a result due to be released in 2016.
Sanofi also plans to resubmit cabazitaxel to the Scottish Medicines Consortium in 2015.
Hugh Gunn, spokesperson for patients' charity TACKLE Prostate Cancer, also commented on the decision: 'This news is a real boost for men who have advanced prostate cancer. The fact that cabazitaxel is available again will give hope for some men as it provides another line of treatment when other options have run out."
Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men, with one in 20 men in the UK likely to die from prostate cancer.