NICE has declined 41 cancer drugs since 2020. Full PMI cancer cover funds many of them. The £50,000-£120,000 gap explained with real drug examples.
The cancer-drug cover gap — what NICE won't fund and what PMI will
NICE routinely declines cancer drugs that the FDA and EMA approve. Full PMI cancer cover exists precisely to close that gap.
The short answer
- NICE has rejected 41 cancer drugs 2020–2025
- Full-cancer PMI funds most licensed non-NICE drugs
- Cost per year of unfunded therapy: £50k–£120k
- Bupa's Cancer Promise is the single strongest UK benefit
Real drugs, real numbers
Selected NICE-declined cancer drugs — private cover status
| Drug | Indication | Approx annual cost | Full PMI cover? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) | HER2+ breast cancer | £118,000 | Yes (Bupa, AXA, Aviva) |
| Kadcyla | HER2+ metastatic breast | £95,000 | Yes |
| Trodelvy | Triple-negative breast | £62,000 | Yes |
| Pembrolizumab (extended lines) | Various | £75,000 | Yes |
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