NICE backs biologic treatment for chronic inflammatory skin disease HS

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued final draft guidance, recommending the use of Cosentyx (secukinumab) as a treatment option for adults in England and Wales with active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

The drug’s developer, Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NOVN: VX), says It will be recommended for people who have had an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS therapy and where adalimumab is not suitable, did not work or has stopped working.

Novartis has an agreement with NHS England allowing eligible people living with HS to obtain immediate access to secukinumab through the interim Innovative Medicines Fund (IMF), which provides funding to accelerate the NICE-recommended non-cancer medicines into the National Health Service (NHS). The New Treatment Fund in Wales, which ensures faster patient access to medicines recommended by NICE, will enable early access to secukinumab for eligible patients in Wales.