“We remain committed to working with Nice to find a way forward for these patients – one that appropriately recognises the severity of this disease and the value of the medicines that target it.”
Breast Cancer Now has said that the drugs offer women six more months to live.
Rachael Franklin, the charity’s interim chief executive, added: “We are both devastated and angry that women’s lives will be shortened as a direct result of Nice, NHS England, Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca failing to agree a solution that would make Enhertu available on the NHS in England for thousands of people with HER2-low secondary breast cancer.
“This was an avoidable tragedy. Patients have found themselves caught in the middle of a stand-off about cost and the system, which is denying them precious hope of more time to live – that’s time with their families and children and doing what matters most to them.
Approved in Scotland
“With Enhertu available to women in so many other countries, including Scotland, it is unacceptable this promising treatment will be out of reach for women in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
Enhertu was approved for use on the NHS in Scotland by the Scottish Medicines Consortium in December.
Ms Franklin said: “A deep injustice is at play here and we will continue to do all in our power to see this decision reversed.
“We have raised this situation with the new Government and will continue to work with patient advocates and the hundreds of thousands of people who have backed our Enhertu Emergency campaign to press all parties to see a solution found.
“However, the heartbreaking but inescapable reality is that these women don’t have time to wait,” she added.