Nice has recommended omalizumab (Xolair) as an option for treating severe, persistent allergic asthma in children and adults – overturning its previous decision that the drug was not cost-effective.

Nice gave preliminary approval in its final draft guidance published today, after manufacturer Novartis agreed a patient-access scheme with the Department of Health, which includes a discount on the drug.

It is due to give final approval in April when the drug, which is injected every two or four weeks, will be recommended for use for treating severe asthma in patients aged six years and over as an add-on therapy for those who need continuous or frequent treatment with oral corticosteroids.

Nice gave preliminary approval for omalizumab after manufacturer Novartis agreed a patient-access scheme including a discount	More on Nice guidance Nice deems omalizumab not cost-effective Practical Approach: How does Nice drugs       approval work? Do you follow the latest Nice guidance?
	Nice approved omalizumab, which costs between £1,665 and £26,640 a year per patient, for use in adults in 2007 but outlined plans in November 2012 to advise against its use on the NHS for being "not as clinically or cost-effective as was first thought".

But today (March 7) Nice said its committee acknowledged that the health benefits of reducing patients' dependence on oral corticosteroids "would be sufficient" to make the drug a cost-effective option, after it heard evidence from patient experts and clinical specialists.

Charity Asthma UK, which campaigned for the drug to be made available for asthma patients, called Nice's decision "a real victory". 

Asthma UK research and policy director Samantha Walker said: "Xolair is the only treatment that works for some people with severe allergic asthma who would otherwise be virtually housebound because of breathlessness and living in constant fear of the next asthma attack."

Nice health technology evaluation centre director Professor Carole Longston said: "Nice is aware that severe, persistent allergic asthma can have a significant effect on a person's life.

"We are therefore pleased to now be able to recommend omalizumab as an effective therapy for adults, adolescents and children with this condition in final draft guidance, with the discount agreed in the patient-access scheme submitted by the manufacturer."

Novartis estimated that about 3,000 people in the UK would now be eligible for the drug.