NICE u-turns on Celgene’s drug for multiple myeloma

pharmafile | November 24, 2016 | News story | Medical Communications |  Celgene, NICE, imnovid 

NICE has performed a U-turn on Celgene’s Imnovid (pomalidomide) based on new data and the offer of a price reduction. NICE had previously rejected the drug as a treatment for those with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, in patients who had received two previous treatments, back in September of 2015. NICE had also delisted the drug from the Cancer Drug Fund at the same time. NICE has now published draft guidelines recommending the use of the drug.

A course of treatment with Imnovid costs, on average, £44,420 but the NHS is expected to pay an undisclosed portion of this figure. It is expected to be made available to approximately 630 patients per year. The drug will be used in conjunction with dexamethasone, as a treatment for those patients who have previously received two treatments, including Velcade and Revlimid.

Dr. Adrian Kilcoyne, medical director at Celgene UK & Ireland, said: “Since the removal of pomalidomide from the CDF, Celgene has worked collaboratively with NICE to help ensure that patients in England can access this medicine which can improve overall survival by five months. The positive recommendation issued by NICE means that eligible patients across the UK can access this important treatment from today. This is great news for patients.”

Eric Low, CEO at Myeloma UK contributed: “This is brilliant news for myeloma patients in England, who have been unable to access pomalidomide on the NHS since September 2015, when it was delisted from the Cancer Drugs Fund. Pomalidomide is an effective treatment which will fill a major gap in the treatment pathway for patients at third relapse and beyond. We are really pleased that through effective collaboration between Celgene, Myeloma UK and NICE, it has resulted in approval of this treatment.”

Ben Hargreaves