NICE "green light" for Novartis' Tobi Podhaler and Forest's Colobreathe

The UK drugs watchdog the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), in a final draft guidance published today (January 25), the drugs watchdog has recommended National Health Service use of two treatments for lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients: USA-based Forest Laboratories’ (NYSE: FRX) Colobreathe (colistimethate sodium) and Swiss drug major Novartis’ (NOVN: DE) Tobi Podhaler (tobramycin) dry powders for inhalation (DPI).

Following the consultation on the previous draft guidance and submission of a revised patient access scheme, colistimethate sodium dry powder for inhalation (DPI) is now recommended as an option for treating chronic pulmonary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in people with cystic fibrosis, only if:

• they would clinically benefit from continued colistimethate sodium but do not tolerate it in its nebulised form and thus tobramycin therapy would otherwise be currently considered and
• the manufacturer provides colistimethate sodium DPI with the discount agreed as part of the patient access scheme to primary, secondary and tertiary care in the NHS.