UK's NICE final guidance on Novartis' Lucentis for diabetic macular edema positive

3 January 2013

In final draft guidance issued today (4 January), the UK’s drug watchdog the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended Swiss drug major Novartis’ (NOVN: VX) Lucentis (ranibizumab) as a National Health Service option for treating visual impairment caused by diabetic macular edema (DME).

The NICE noted that it conducted a rapid review of the original negative guidance, published in 2011 (The Pharma Letter November 30, 2011), because the manufacturer submitted a revised Patient Access Scheme, together with updated analyses showing the drug’s superior relative effect among a sub-group of people with DME.

According to the draft guidance, ranibizumab is now recommended as an option for treating visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema if:

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