NICE and the challenge of cancer drugs

doi:10.1136/bmj.b478

Correction for Raftery, BMJ 338 (jan13 1) b67.

Published 6 February 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b478
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b478

Corrections

NICE and the challenge of cancer drugs

In the rush to get this fast tracked article to print (BMJ 2009;338:b67,doi:10.1136/bmj.b67) the author missed several errors. In thesecond paragraph, the number of cancer drugs provisionally rejectedby the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellenceon grounds of their high cost per QALY (quality adjusted lifeyear) should be seven not six, and in the seventh paragraphthe second drug that would qualify for funding should be permetrexedfor lung cancer [not "lapatinib for breast cancer"]. In thetable, fludarabine is first line treatment for chronic lymphocyticleukaemia [not "leukaemia lymphocytic"]; the condition listedfor lenalidomide should be multiple myeloma [not "multiple myeloidleukaemia"]; and the figures for cost per patient are £000snot £s.