Price drop means leukemia CDF drug will be available routinely in England

In another reversal of a negative cancer drug opinion from the cost-effectiveness watchdog for England and Wales based on the drug manufacturer’s agreement on a price discount, the agency has said that a new drug for the treatment of leukemia can be used routinely on the National Health Service.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has said that ibrutinib Imbruvica (ibrutinib) from Janssen, a subsidiary of US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) should be routinely available to some people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Ibrutinib had only previously been available through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF). Following a reduction in its cost to the NHS, it is now recommended in further draft guidance as a routine option for people with CLL who have had treatment before, or who have genetic changes (known as 17p deletion or TP53 mutation).

“Patients with this type of leukemia are difficult to treat; they have very limited treatment options available and some treatments can cause severe side effects,” said Professor Carole Longson, direct of the NICE Centre for Health Technology Evaluation, adding: “The [appraisal] committee found ibrutinib to be an innovative and effective drug for people who have had treatment before, or who have specific genetic changes. A further discount on price offered by the company meant that the committee could recommend ibrutinib as clinically effective and value for money for use in the NHS. Our decision means that many patients can feel reassured that they can now get routine access to ibrutinib.”