Health watchdog NICE has been reluctant in allowing melanoma drug Zelboraf for clinical use. Recently, the manufacturer of the drug, Roche, has been asked to provide data to prove that the drug is effective and carries least side effects.

In the month of June, as well, the health watch dog asked Roche to present data to show the usefulness of the drug. Following the demands of the NICE, the Roche presented document showing that the drug is cost effective treatment for melanoma. However, NICE is not convinced with the claims by the Roche.

The Swiss manufacturer informed that the drug will cost £52,000 in seven months to the NHS. The melanoma treatment is quite expensive. According to Roche, their medicine is cost effective as compared to other drugs available in the markets.

Professor Carole Longson from NICE said, “… our independent advisory committee concluded that they required further clarification to be able to make the decision to recommend or not recommend it for routine use in the NHS”.

NICE is hopeful that Roche would submit further proof to show that their drug is much effective as compared to other melanoma treatments. Roche has not informed as to when it will submit the document.