IQWiG finds hint of non-quantifiable added benefit for Jakavi in polycythemia vera

The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined in a dossier assessment whether Swiss pharma giant Novartis’ (NOVN: VX) Jakavi (ruxolitinib) offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy.

According to the findings, ruxolitinib offers better relief of individual symptoms and improves quality of life. Dyspnoea and muscle cramps are more frequent, however. The study design generally limits the informative value of the data, which is why IQWiG can derive a hint of a non-quantifiable added benefit from them.

Jakavi has been approved since March 2015 for the treatment of adults with polycythemia vera, a rare disease of the bone marrow. It can be used when the drug hydroxyurea is ineffective or not tolerated.