NICE says Lilly's Portrazza is too expensive

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has today published draft guidance that does not recommend approval for use in the National Health Service of US pharma major Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) Portrazza (necitumumab) for treating lung cancer.

The NICE independent appraisal committee acknowledged that necitumumab provides small improvements in overall survival, however it cost too much compared to combination chemotherapy. The committee also concluded that necitumumab did not meet the criteria to be considered for use in the Cancer Drugs Fund as it was not cost-effective and no clinical uncertainties could be addressed from further data collection.

This is not final guidance. Consultees – including the drug manufacturer, health professionals and members of the public – are now able to comment on the preliminary recommendations until June 17, 2016. Until final guidance is issued, NHS organizations should make decisions locally on the funding of specific treatments.