There is a debate going on in the U. S. about the current health care reform and for new and expensive treatments, how much a state should spend. This debate is going to heat up following a decision to withdraw endorsement of a drug.

Avastin that is primarily used to treat colon cancer is the world's best selling cancer drug and in 2008 the FDA approved it to be used on women with breast cancer that has spread.

Every year about 17,500 women in the U. S. are getting the drug as of now and it costs $8,000 or £5,000 a month.

A study was conducted that deemed the drug fit for extending the amount of time until the disease had worsened by more than five months. But two other studies have stated that the life might not be increased even by a month by the drug.

Now the FDA advisory panel has voted for taking the drug off market shelves for breast cancer treatment.

It has been stated that despite the panel unusually citing `effectiveness' as the reason for the decision, it is actually the `cost effectiveness' that is the reason behind the decision.

US insurers would be likely to stop paying for Avastin if the approval is cancelled.