Vismodegib for treating basal cell carcinoma

Vismodegib (Erivedge, Roche) is indicated for the treatment of 'adult patients with:

• symptomatic metastatic basal cell carcinoma

• locally advanced basal cell carcinoma inappropriate for surgery or radiotherapy'.

The recommended dose is one 150‑mg capsule taken once daily. Treatment should be continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Vismodegib is available at the list price of £6,285 for 28 capsules, each containing 150 mg (£224.50 per capsule; excluding VAT, British national formulary).

The company has agreed a patient access scheme with the Department of Health. If vismodegib had been recommended, this scheme would provide a simple discount to the list price of vismodegib with the discount applied at the point of purchase or invoice. The level of the discount is commercial in confidence. The Department of Health considered that this patient access scheme would not constitute an excessive administrative burden on the NHS.