More than 50% of cancer drugs in the UK do not work

More than half of cancer drugs brought to market in the UK have no evidence that they work for patients.

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 is a study by a group of experts from King's College, University of London and the London School of Economics.

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Many expensive indirect (alternative) drugs with clinical benefits are approved for use but are ineffective, causing patients to suffer, social resources to be wasted, and health care to be impaired, the researchers said.

The results are based on an analysis of reports on cancer drug approvals from the European Medicines Agency from 2009 to 2013.

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

According to researchers, after 5 years on the market, only 8 drugs have been shown to help patients live longer and contribute to improving quality of life.

Of the 68 drugs approved by the EMA, 35% of patients had longer survival and quality of life compared to current treatments or placebo, while the remaining 33% had uncertain effects.

The Independent quoted Dr. Courtney Davis, lead author of the study, as saying: "We evaluated drugs that have been on the market for five years, most of which have no evidence that they help patients live longer and can improve quality of life."

Responding to the announcement, an EMA spokesperson said: "EMA has not had time to analyse the BMJ study results properly.

Therefore, we cannot comment. What we can say is that the EMA has discussed the evidence of the effectiveness of the medicines and looks forward to further discussion on this issue."

According to VNN