Baraclude gets nod from NICE

The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended Baraclude (entecavir) for the treatment of eligible patients with chronic hepatitis B. Bristol-Myers Squibb's potent antiviral treatment has been shown to be more effective at suppressing HBV than the most widely used antiviral treatment lamivudine and is less prone to the development of resistance. The recommendation in this final appraisal document is due to be published as final NICE guidance in August of this year.

"If the FAD remains unchanged, it will be published as final guidance in August this year. [Primary Care Trusts] will then be required to make funding available for Baraclude for patients prescribed it by their specialist. Bristol-Myers Squibb will continue to work proactively with clinicians and PCTs to enable access to Baraclude for those patients who will benefit from it," said Richard Marsh, director of external affairs and market access at B-MS. Entecavir, within its marketing authorization, is recommended as an option for the treatment of people with chronic HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative hepatitis B in whom antiviral treatment is indicated. This guidance does not apply to people with chronic hepatitis B who also have hepatitis C, hepatitis D or HIV, B-MS noted.