OBJECTIVES: To compare the contrasting approaches in France and the United Kingdom for assessing the value added by new drugs METHODS: We reviewed the technology appraisals performed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on 38 anticancer drugs in the UK from September 2003 to January 2012. Estimates of the quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained and incremental cost per QALY gained were then compared the assessments of the Amélioration du Service Médical Rendu (ASMR) made by the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) in France for the same drugs in the same clinical indications. RESULTS: In the UK, the estimates of QALYs gained ranged from 0.018 to 1.85 and estimates of incremental cost-per QALY from £1800 to £458,000. The estimate of incremental cost per QALY was a good predictor of the level of restriction imposed on the use of the drug concerned. Patient access schemes, which normally imply price reductions, were proposed in 45% of cases. In France, the distribution of ASMRs was 1, 16%; 2, 8%; 3, 21%; 4, 24%; 5, 24%; and uncategorized/ non-reimbursed, 8%. Since ASMRs of 4 and above signify minor or no improvement over existing therapy, these ratings imply that, in around half the cases, the drugs concerned would face price controls. Overall, the assessments of value added in the two jurisdictions produced very similar results.  A superior ASMR rating was a good predictor of both higher QALYs gained and a lower incremental cost per QALY.  CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, despite the contrasting approaches employed in France and the UK for assessing the value added by new drugs, the overall assessments of value added produced very similar results. However, the implications of these assessments for patient access to, and prices of, anticancer drugs in the two jurisdictions require further investigation