Ozurdex poised to receive positive reimbursement decision in the UK

Dublin, Ireland-headquartered Allergan (NYSE: AGN) has received a positive recommendation from the UK’s medicines cost-effectiveness agency for Ozurdex (dexamethasone), as a treatment for people with a sight-threatening condition.

The opinion from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), if confirmed as final guidance, would result in the drug being funded for patients in the country’s public health service.

The recommendation comes following the NICE’s review of Ozurdex for treating patients with posterior non-infectious posterior uveitis.

Ozurdex is currently funded for the condition in some parts of the country but not in others.

Fahd Quhill, consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, said: “NICE's final appraisal determination recognizes the value of Ozurdex as a corticosteroid-sparing treatment option and fulfils an unmet need for patients with non-infectious uveitis.”

“If confirmed as guidance, it would mean that the NHS would fund Ozurdex for patients with this condition which would benefit not only patients themselves but also those treating them.”

“Currently, in many areas in England prescribers can only obtain funding for Ozurdex through a time-consuming process which is not always successful.”

The term uveitis covers a wide range of conditions which can lead to intraocular inflammation and cause approximately 10% of severe visual impairment. This makes uveitis one of the leading causes of severe preventable visual loss in developed countries.

Jessica Hall of UK charity the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said: “The recommendation by NICE is welcome news for patients. As final guidance, it would mean improved access to treatments, including Ozurdex and their availability in places where this was impossible before.”