NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) issued its Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on Abraxane® (paclitaxel formulated as albumin bound nanoparticles; nab-paclitaxel) in combination with gemcitabine, and has not recommended it for use by NHS England for the treatment of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.[i]

In addition, an NHS England review of 42 cancer treatments currently available through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) could result in Abraxane® being 'de-listed',[ii] despite being added to the list earlier this year and the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) recommending it for use.[iii] Abraxane® in combination with gemcitabine was added to the CDF in March 2014[iv], following support from 70 leading pancreatic cancer specialists to include it on the list. So far over 260 metastatic pancreatic cancer patients have been able to access Abraxane® through the CDF.[v],[vi]