NICE has decided that Tarceva (erlotinib, manufactured by Genentech in the US and distributed by Roche outside of US) costs too much compared with the benefit that NICE has assessed to be limited. This will add flames to the controversy that began with access to another cancer drug, Herceptin (same manufacturers as for erlotinib), for treating breast cancer in the UK. NICE compared the effectiveness of Tarceva with Taxotere (docetaxel, manufactured by sanofi-aventis) and concluded that the data did not show Tarceva presented significant benefits to warrant the higher cost associated with therapy. This does not mean the book is shut to Tarceva, as NICE plans to review Tarceva again in February 2008. Source: Reuters UK. You may also check NICE’s consultation docket for erlotinib here.