NICE backs two DME therapies, Eylea and Ozurdex

The National Institute for Health and care Excellence (NICE) the watchdog of medicines in England, has recommended the National Health Service (NHS) use of two products for ophthalmic use, in two separate final draft guidances published today.

The drugs in question are German pharma major Bayer’s (BAYN: DE) Eylea (aflibercept) and Ozurdex (dexamethasone intravitreal implant) from Allergan, which is now a subsidiary of Actavis (NYSE: ACT). Both are recommended as possible treatment options for some people with diabetic macular edema (DME).

The final draft guidance recommends aflibercept solution for injection as a treatment option in people only if:
• the eye has a central retinal thickness of 400 micrometres or more at the start of treatment;
• the company provides aflibercept with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.

Aflibercept is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor. It prevents abnormal new blood vessels from forming under the retina. It also helps treat swelling in the retina caused by oedema.

In the second piece of final draft guidance, dexamethasone intravitreal implant is recommended as a treatment option in people only if:
• the implant is to be used in an eye with an intraocular (pseudophakic) lens; and
• their diabetic macular edema does not respond to non-corticosteroid treatment or such treatment is unsuitable.

Dexamethasone works by suppressing inflammation and preventing oedema forming in the eye. It reduces plasma leakage from blood vessels and inhibits the release of inflammatory compounds that cause damage to the eye.

Carole Longson, Health Technology Evaluation Centre director, said: “NICE is pleased to give the green light to both dexamethasone intravitreal implant and aflibercept as treatment options for some people with diabetic macular edema in final draft guidance. The condition affects around 189,000 people with diabetes in the UK, and can have a substantial negative impact on quality of life and daily activities. These decisions will therefore be welcome news to both patients and healthcare professionals alike.”