OBJECTIVES

: In June 2016, the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF), an important mechanism for managed access in England, underwent significant reform. Between June 2016 and June 2021 NICE considered the evaluation of over 300 individual single technology appraisals (STAs). During these 5-years, the CDF has played a pivotal role in expanding access to promising cancer medicines whilst further data are collected with the aim of reducing uncertainty. This research evaluated the CDF recommendations made during this period and reflects on the role of the CDF in the context of the imminent 2021 launch of the new ‘Innovative Medicines Fund’ (IMF); which will expand the role of the CDF to include non-cancer diseases.

METHODS

: A targeted literature review was conducted to identify STAs where the treatment under evaluation was recommended for use within the CDF with additional research undertaken to understand which of those STAs had subsequently been reappraised on exit from the CDF.

RESULTS

: The review identified 198 STAs conducted between June 2016 and June 2021 in an oncology setting. 40 recommendations were made for use within the CDF. Of those 40, 12 have been fully reappraised following submission of new evidence. Of those, nine have been accepted for routine commissioning, two were terminated, and one received a negative recommendation from NICE.

CONCLUSIONS

: Although a substantial number of recommendations have been made for treatments on the CDF, there remains a relatively low number of reappraisals. There are an additional 11 appraisals for which the data collection period has passed, indicating that there may be time lags in the reappraisal process. Based on outcomes from the CDF to date, the introduction of the IMF could act as a great opportunity for many more patients to gain early access to promising medicines, however scheduling of reassessments may contribute to considerable capacity constraints in the future.