IQWiG reverses added benefit opinion on ticagrelor

In its dossier assessment published in early July 2016, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) determined an indication of a minor added benefit of ticagrelor, Anglo-Swedish pharma major AstraZeneca’s (LSE: AZN) Brilinta, in comparison with the administration of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) alone.

Ticagrelor has been approved since February 2016 for adults who had a myocardial infarction a year or more ago and are at a high risk of a new myocardial infarction or stroke.

However, on the inclusion of additional analyses that the drug’s manufacturer provided in the commenting procedure conducted by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), the Institute now came to a different conclusion, however: An added benefit is not proven because positive effects are called into question by negative effects. The G-BA makes a final decision on the extent of added benefit.