NICE will re-review Ferring Pharmaceutical's Firmagon in prostate cancer following appeal

The UK’s clinical standards body, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has agreed to re-review privately-held Switzerland-based biopharmaceutical company Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ Firmagon (degarelix) as an option for treating advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer.

Following a hearing in London, Ferring’s appeal against NICE’s final appraisal determination for the use of Firmagon has been upheld.

Steve Howson, general manager of Ferring UK, said: "We welcome the appeal panel's decision that the way in which the recommendation for Firmagon was issued was unfair and lacked transparency. Treatment options for men with advanced prostate cancer are limited and NICE has continued to restrict access to new treatments. Firmagon has distinct advantages over other first-line recommended treatments in advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer and is offered at a comparable cost, which is why Ferring, alongside representatives of healthcare professionals and patients, appealed against NICE's recommendations."