Sanofi-aventis said that the NICE appraisal committee’s preliminary recommendation is to endorse Multaq as a first choice therapeutic option after beta-blockers, which are the initial therapeutic option in the NICE clinical guidelines. Based on this recommendation, Multaq should be prescribed in non-permanent AF patients with cardiovascular risk factors.
Belen Garijo, senior vice president of pharmaceutical operations for Europe at sanofi-aventis, said: “Sanofi-aventis is pleased that NICE has acknowledged the benefits of Multaq for non-permanent AF patients who have been awaiting a new therapeutic option that safely treats their symptoms and improves their long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
“We appreciate the thorough and comprehensive evaluation of the Multaq clinical and economic dossier that NICE has performed and believe that this preliminary recommendation by NICE provides a valuable benchmark to guide sanofi-aventis’ ongoing efforts to have the Multaq value proposition in AF patients recognized within Europe and beyond.”
Multaq is expected to be commercially available in the UK from March 30, 2010.