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news.Janssen's Ibrutinib will be available as a routine option to treat patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in the UK following a reversal of an earlier decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
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Earlier, NICE did not recommend ibrutinib, also known as Imbruvica, for routine National Health Service (NHS use).
After a reduction in price, the independent appraisal committee approved the drug as cost effective.
According to NICE, the funds needed to make ibrutinib affordable to patients could be covered from the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF).
The move will benefit an estimated 620 patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, who either had prior treatment, or have genetic changes 17p deletion or TP53 mutation.
NICE health technology evaluation centre director Carole Longson said: “Patients with this type of leukaemia are difficult to treat; they have very limited treatment options available and some treatments can cause severe side effects.
“The committee found ibrutinib to be an innovative and effective drug for these patients.”
According to NICE, ibrutinib, which needs to be taken daily, inhibits the signals responsible for helping in the multiplication and survival of cancerous cells.
Treatment cost with ibrutinib is estimated to cost over £55,000 for each patient. However, the NHS will pay a reduced price.
The draft guidance pertaining to ibrutinib is currently with consultees who stand a chance to appeal against it, said NICE.
Once the final guidance on the leukaemia drug is framed by the public health body, the NHS will have to make it available for patients inside three months.
Image: NICE makes ibrutinib available as a routine option for treating chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Photo: courtesy of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.