New drugs are constantly being developed

Wednesday's talks take place amid fears patients are missing out as drug appraisals take too long.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said it wants to speed up the process.

Cancer campaigners said there were 23 cancer treatments subject to unacceptable delays.

NICE has been heavily criticised by a number of charities for the length of time it takes for the body to recommend treatment for NHS use after they have been given a licence.

CANCER DRUG APPROVAL WAITS Anastrozole (early breast cancer) - Given licence in October 2002, but NICE recommendation not due until November next year for drug which is effective for two thirds of breast cancers Bortezomib (bone marrow cancer) - Helps kill cancerous cells, but despite licence granted in May 2004, not likely to receive approval until end of next year Cetuximab (colorectal cancer) - Best used in combination with other drugs, approval at least a year away, despite licence granted in 2004 Rituximab (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) - Licence given a year ago, but NICE appraisal not due to finish until September 2007

NICE advisers weight up the value for money benefits, and effectiveness of treatments before making recommendations.

NHS trusts are free to use treatments even if they have been licensed but not yet received approval, but in practice trusts rarely feel comfortable giving the go-ahead because of financial constraints.

It takes 18 months on average for each appraisal, but CancerBACUP said patients have waited much longer for some drugs.

One treatment Rituximab for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is subject to a three-year delay, while there has been a two-and-a-half-year delay for Cetuximab to treat colorectal cancer.

Some 64 treatments are currently under appraisal by NICE, a quarter of which are for cancer.

Reform

CancerBACUP chief executive Joanne Rule said: "Reform of the current system is a life and death issue for cancer patients.

"We have to improve and speed up the way new cancer treatments are monitored and assessed and fast-track the ones with most impact."

The charity has called for a "root-and-branch" reform of NICE to speed up approval.

It said it wanted treatments to be examined within three months of getting a licence, with advisers having the power to fast-track and give interim guidance on key drugs.

The call comes just days after it emerged a Somerset nurse was taking action her local NHS trust under the Human Rights Act to force it to prescribe the cancer drug Herceptin.

The drug is not yet approved for early-stage cancers despite Health Secretary saying it should be fast-tracked.

NICE chief executive Andrew Dillon said it would be discussing changes to it practices at the private meeting on Wednesday. An annoucement is expected by the end of the week.

"We want to minimise the gap between licensing and publication.

"We recognise how important it is for the NHS and for patients to have timely advice on the use of new medicines, particularly for life threatening conditions such as cancer.