NICE broadens Fasenra recommendation

AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) has welcomed the move by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to expand its initial draft recommendation for Fasenra (benralizumab) in severe eosinophilic asthma.

In July 2018, the UK pharma major was unhappy that NICE had initially recommended the drug’s use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland only in a limited population of patients when standard options such as inhaled corticosteroids and beta-agonists have not worked.

AstraZeneca argued that Fasenra should be considered for a wider group of these patients, and so is pleased that the final appraisal document (FAD) takes into account its claims and supporting data by extending the recommendation.