Patients in England with HER2-low breast cancer can now access Enhertu, a drug that may extend life by an average of seven months. This follows a two-year campaign after the drug was initially deemed too costly by health authorities. Enhertu has been available in Scotland since 2023 and in 26 other European countries.
The decision is expected to benefit around 1,000 women annually. The approval comes after changes in NHS funding criteria, allowing for higher spending on medications that improve quality of life, reflecting ongoing patient advocacy efforts.
With Enhertu now available, patients should monitor how NHS funding adjustments impact access to other life-extending treatments. Advocacy groups may push for similar changes in Northern Ireland, and ongoing discussions about drug pricing could reshape future approvals.