The drug, which attacks cancerous cells from within thus avoiding many of the side effects of chemotherapy, could potentially help a fifth of breast cancer sufferers.

NICE chief executive Andrew Dillon called on the Swiss firm to review its pricing.

"We hope the manufacturer will act in the best interests of patients and use this consultation period to look again at their evidence and consider if there is more they can do," he told the BBC.

Roche argues that the price of the drug must take into account costly research and development liabilities.

Source: AFP