Nice deems omalizumab not cost-effective
Clinical Nice has withdrawn its recommendation for the asthma drug Xolair (omalizumab) as a treatment for children and adults following a decision that it is not cost effective.
Nice has withdrawn its recommendation for the asthma drug Xolair (omalizumab) as a treatment for severe, persistent allergic asthma in children and adults following a preliminary decision that it is not cost-effective.
Nice said the drug, manufactured by Novartis, was no longer considered a "cost-effective use of NHS resources". Evidence that had come to light since it was last examined in 2007 suggested it was not "as clinically or cost-effective as was first thought", Nice said in draft guidance unveiled on Friday (November 9).
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Nice said the omalizumab was no longer considered "cost-effective" as an asthma treatment for adults and children |
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The drug was an effective therapy for children and adults with severe, persistent allergic asthma, the appraisal committee said. But recent clinical trials submitted as evidence had included patients with less severe asthma and may not be applicable, it found. Nice requested more information from clinicians, the independent assessment group and manufacturer Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK to try to identity a group of people with very severe asthma for whom the drug would be cost-effective. |
Nice urges organ checks in suspected hypertensionPatients taking the drug should continue treatment until they or their clinician considered it appropriate to stop, Nice has advised. It expects to publish final guidance in APril.
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