Mepact wins NICE backing
pharmafile | October 26, 2011 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Mepact, NICE
NICE has recommended Takeda’s bone cancer drug Mepact after the firm offered a discount for the treatment.
The watchdog’s final guidance recommends the use of Mepact (mifamurtide), in combination with postoperative multi-agent chemotherapy, as an option for treating high-grade resectable non-metastatic osteosarcoma (a rare bone cancer) in children and young adults.
NICE was originally minded not to back the drug, but it has changed its mind after Takeda offered an updated patient access scheme for the treatment, and after NICE re-examined the discounts available.
The evidence indicates that Mepact, when added to the usual treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, increases the number of patients who are effectively cured of their cancer.
Although the number of additional patients who would benefit in this way is small and uncertain, NICE said the treatment effects are both substantial in restoring health and are sustained over a very long period.
Sir Andrew Dillon, NICE chief executive, said: “For the small number of patients who benefit from Mepact, the health benefits continue over the rest of their lives, effectively being a cure.
“This situation presented specific methodological issues for the independent appraisal committee regarding the way in which health benefits are valued and calculated over a very long period of time.
“Following a clarification from the NICE Board on this issue, and in addition to a revised patient access scheme from the manufacturer, the extra cost per unit of health gained that the NHS will pay for mifamurtide is now lower than previously determined, but still above the normal range that is usually accepted.”
Dillon said that after having looked again very carefully at a number of factors – such the curative potential of the drug for some people and the small patient population – and taking all these into account, NICE was now able to recommend the drug.
Yasuhiro Fukutomi, managing director of Takeda UK, said: “We are grateful to all those who have been involved in this long process including those at NICE, the Department of Health, physicians and patient organisations.
“It has taken everyone’s collaboration to lead us to this successful conclusion for osteosarcoma patients today.”
There have not been any medical advances in the treatment of osteosarcoma for more than 20 years, with standard treatment being chemotherapy given before and after the tumour has been surgically removed.
Between a third and half of all children and young adults receiving this treatment will not survive beyond five years.
Ben Adams
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