More than 50% of cancer drugs in the UK are ineffective.

More than half of the cancer drugs marketed in the UK have no evidence to show they are effective for patients' health.

According to information published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), more than half of the cancer drugs approved for use in the UK in recent years have not been proven to help patients live longer.

This research was conducted by a team of experts from King's College, University of London, and the London School of Economics.

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The research team stated that many expensive alternative (non-essential) drugs with approved clinical benefits are ineffective, negatively impacting patients, wasting societal resources, and degrading healthcare.

The above results are based on an analysis of the European Medicines Agency's reports on the approval of cancer drugs from 2009 to 2013.

Of the 68 cancer drugs approved during this period, 39 (57%) were marketed as alternative medicine and there is no evidence that they help prolong survival or improve the quality of life for patients.

According to researchers, after five years on the market, only eight drugs have shown to help patients live longer and improve their quality of life.

Of the 68 drugs approved by the EMA, 35% of patients experienced extended survival time and improved quality of life compared to current treatments or placebo, while the effectiveness of the remaining 33% of the drugs was uncertain.

The Independent quoted Dr. Courtney Davis, the lead author of the study, as saying: "We evaluated drugs that had been on the market for five years, and the majority had no evidence to suggest they would help patients live longer or improve their quality of life."

Responding to the announcement, an EMA spokesperson said: "EMA has not had time to thoroughly analyze the BMJ's research findings."

Therefore, we cannot comment. What we can say is that the EMA has discussed the evidence for the drugs' effectiveness and expects further debate on this issue."

According to VNN