In a significant policy reversal, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of oral chemotherapy medication abiraterone (brand name Zytiga) and its generic variants. Combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and either prednisolone or prednisone its used for treatment of adults with newly diagnosed, high-risk, hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer. 

This guidance reverses NICE's earlier position from 2021, when abiraterone was not recommended due to cost-effectiveness concerns at its original price. The availability of lower-cost generic alternatives allowed for a re-evaluation and led to the current positive recommendation. 

This expanded access is anticipated to benefit an estimated 4,000 men with advanced prostate cancer by potentially extending their lives and delaying chemotherapy. The use of less expensive generic versions is expected to result in significant savings for the NHS compared to other treatments, freeing up funds which can be reinvested in breakthrough treatments and care improvements.

Helen Knight, Director of Medicines Evaluation at NICE, said: "Assessing the cost-effectiveness of generic medicines is a new departure for NICE, but one that is central to our ambition of getting the best treatments to patients quickly while ensuring the NHS gets the best value for its money.”