News / Cancer Drugs Fund set to overspend despite cost controls

The measures came as the National Audit Office said the fund was not sustainable in its current form. Despite previous action to limit spending, the fund budget increased from £200m in 2013/14 to £280m in 2014/15 and £340m in the current financial year. Without further measures it is forecast to rise to £410m this financial year, a budget overspend of £70m.

CDF chair Peter Clark, an oncologist, said the initiative faced difficult choices. ‘It is our duty to ensure we get maximum value from every penny available on behalf of patients. We must ensure we invest in those treatments that offer the most benefit, based on rigorous evidence-based clinical analysis and an assessment of the cost of those treatments,’ he said.

The CDF said decisions to remove drugs were based on the advice of clinicians, the best available evidence and the cost of the treatment. While these actions will reduce costs further, the CDF does not expect the fund to be back on budget this financial year. But it does expect that it will be operating within its budget during 2016/17,’ it added.

In its report, Investigation into the cancer drugs fund, the NAO acknowledged the steps NHS England has taken to control the growth in costs, but said all parties agreed the fund could not continue in its current form.