UK's NICE approves NHS funding for Novartis' Xolair for all eligible patients

The UK’s drugs watch dog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has stipulated today that National Health Service funding should be provided for asthma drug Xolair (omalizumab), from Swiss pharma major Novartis (NOVN: VX).

The NICE said that eligible patients with severe allergic asthma with an increased risk of mortality, including children aged six and above, who are on continuous or frequent oral corticosteroids (defined as four or more courses in the previous year), should now have access to this treatment.

Robert Niven, senior lecturer in respiratory medicine, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, quoted by Novartis, said: “Many patients unnecessarily accept the everyday limitations and sudden asthma attacks, which are a feature of severe allergic asthma. This means that, without the appropriate care they deserve, they are unable to carry out simple everyday tasks such as shopping or working. There is a lack of knowledge about severe allergic asthma and I would urge anyone who has been on numerous courses of oral steroids, for treating their asthma, be seen by their doctor for an assessment.”