UK’s NICE recommends Celgene’s Revlimid for myelodysplastic syndromes

The UK’s drug watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has today issued final guidance recommending US biotech major Celgene’s (Nasdaq: CELG) Revlimid (lenalidomide) as an option for treating some people with myelodysplastic syndromes on the National Health Service. Earlier this year  NICE issued a negative draft guidance.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which are diagnosed in around 2,000 people each year in England, are a group of bone marrow disorders characterized by the underproduction of one or more types of blood cells due to problems with bone marrow. MDS can lead to life threatening disease including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as well as anemia and increased risk of bleeding and infections.

This appraisal focused on the use of lenalidomide for treating people with a specific type of MDS that is characterized by a chromosomal abnormality called an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality. At the moment the main treatment option for people with the particular kind of MDS considered in this appraisal is best supportive care including regular blood transfusions.

Carole Longson, Centre for Health Technology Evaluation director at NICE, said: “We know that lenalidomide is an effective therapy and are glad that Celgene provided further evidence on how well it works and also offered a patient access scheme where the NHS pays for lenalidomide for up to 26 monthly cycles and company will provide the drug free of charge for those people who receive more than 26 cycles. We are therefore very pleased to be able to recommend lenalidomide for these people. The NHS now has three months to make the drug available for those who need it.”

Pricing of Revlimid