NICE Overturns its previous verdict of Lucentis (Ranibizumab) for Diabetics.
NICE assessed the cost effectiveness of Lucentis (Ranibizumab) for diabetic macular oedema last year and concluded it was not cost effective for the NHS. This was very disappointing news.
On the Friday 5th October 2012 they announced the result of the appeal and were pleased to announce that by working with Novartis they were able to find a compromise and now were happy to Approve Lucentis (Ranibizumab) for diabetic macular oedema patients.
This is what they call an ACD document ie for discussion and comment, and then their final FAD document will be published. After this there is 3 months for hospitals to offer the service in the NHS.
This is tremendously good news. I have been using Lucentis (Ranibizumab) and Avastin (Bevacizumab) for diabetic macular oedema for the past 4 years and know how effective it is. It is really good news that there will be open access to this treatment for NHS patients. The only entry criteria is for the central area of the eye to be at least 400um in thickness ie diabetic macular oedema is present. Very fair criteria.
I welcome this news and look forward to offering it more easily to my patients in the NHS.
10/10/2012