Revlimid patient scheme ‘working’
pharmafile | December 14, 2012 | News story | Sales and Marketing | Celgene, Revlimid
Celgene has issued figures which it says demonstrate the clinical value of the NICE-agreed patient access scheme for its cancer drug Revlimid.
In data presented at the American Society of Haematology annual meeting, it says Revlimid (lenalidomide) has been given, free of charge, to several hundred patients.
The drug has been shown to extend life in people with multiple myeloma, and treatment beyond cycle 26 is given by Celgene at no cost – as long as patients continue to be eligible.
An analysis of 1,779 patients found that 313 (17.6%) patients remained on Revlimid for at least 24 cycles.
“Physicians therefore have the freedom to continue prescribing lenalidomide for patients who are benefiting from treatment within NICE guidance without incurring its cost,” Celgene said in a statement.
Age and starting dose are statistically significant predictors for treatment lasting more than two years, the company goes on, while dose adjustments were also associated with extended treatment duration.
Patients without a dose adjustment received an average of 7.3 cycles, while those with at least one received 15 cycles. Patients aged under 75 years old were 1.51 times more likely to receive 24 cycles compared with patients aged over 75.
Also, patients were 1.58 times more likely to get to 24 cycles if receiving 25 mg per day rather than 10 mg.
Almost four years ago Celgene became one of the first pharma companies to look at a patient access scheme when attempting to overturn a negative NICE decision on Revlimid.
NICE guidance on the use of the drug for multiple myeloma in people who have received two or more prior therapies subsequently took the scheme into account when giving it the green light.
The NHS spent almost £50 million on the brand in 2010, according to a report by IMS Health.
“We are committed to providing value to the NHS and ensuring that patients receive the greatest possible clinical benefits from our medicines,” said Dr David Gillen, UK and Ireland medical director at Celgene.
“This data provides evidence that the proactive management of a patient’s treatment can improve outcomes for those receiving lenalidomide,” he added.
Dr Cathy Williams, consultant haematologist at Nottingham University Hospitals and lead author on the report, also said it showed the scheme was working.
“These findings demonstrate that patients are responding to treatment for extended periods of time,” she said.
“Importantly, this analysis also helps to inform healthcare professionals of the conditions under which patients are likely to respond to treatment for longer, to further ensure the value of the programme,” Williams concluded.
Adam Hill
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