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Health

NHS in England approves life-extending breast cancer drug Enhertu

A policy change allows roughly 1,000 women annually to receive the treatment following prior cost rejections.

Updated Sep 17, 2026 · 06:24 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • NICE has approved the life-extending drug Enhertu for routine NHS use in England, benefiting approximately 1,000 women annually with HER2-low advanced breast cancer.[The Guardian]
  • The approval follows a higher spending threshold and a commercial agreement among NHS England, AstraZeneca, and Daiichi Sankyo.[The Guardian · BBC News]
  • Clinical trials showed Enhertu increased median overall survival by 6.6 months compared to standard chemotherapy.[The Guardian]
  • Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to consider implementing similar guidance, while the drug is already available in Scotland.[The Guardian · BBC News]

Key facts

  • About 1,000 women a year with HER2-low advanced breast cancer in England will be eligible to receive Enhertu on the NHS.[The Guardian]
  • Clinical trials showed Enhertu extended median overall survival from 16.8 months to 23.4 months.[The Guardian]
  • NICE had previously rejected Enhertu in July 2024 on cost grounds.[The Guardian]
  • NICE raised its upper payment threshold per Quality-Adjusted Life Year from £30,000 to £35,000.[BBC News]
  • Enhertu has been available on the NHS in Scotland since December 2023.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • It remains uncertain whether drug manufacturers substantially reduced their asking price to reach the agreement.[The Guardian · BBC News]
  • The timeline for potential approval and rollout in Wales and Northern Ireland is not yet finalized.[The Guardian · BBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.