A new class of breast cancer drugs yesterday won final draft approval for use in the NHS alongside the "gold standard" Tamoxifen, which many expect them quickly to replace.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence said the aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole, should be available despite their increased cost over Tamoxifen because they have fewer side-effects and studies have shown they reduce cases of breast cancer that recur. The drugs inhibit production of oestrogen.

The government has said doctors must be free to use the drugs as they see fit.