NICE reprieve for Alimera's Iluvien
This article was originally published in Scrip
Alimera Sciences' Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) is a step away from winning final and binding endorsement from England's health technology appraisal institute, NICE, for the treatment of chronic diabetic macular edema that does not respond to available treatments. The institute has published final draft guidance recommending the drug.
Unless there is an appeal, final guidance should come later this year. NICE is giving the drug a reprieve after its previous rejection in January in final and binding guidance. But Alimera came back with a patient access scheme offering a discount that made the drug cost-effective.
The recommendations remain the same as those outlined in the revised guidance issued in June (scripintellignece.com, 14 June 2013). The implant is recommended as an option for treating some patients with chronic diabetic macular edema that is not responsive enough to available therapies. Patients must have had their natural lens replaced with an intraocular (pseudophakic) lens, plus the company needs to stick to the terms of its patient access scheme.
Iluvien comes as a 190-microgram implant at a price of £5,500, excluding VAT and the discount.