UK’s NICE proposes to recommend GSK’s Tafinlar for melanoma

UK drugs watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued final draft guidance recommending UK pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline’s (LSE: GSK) Tafinlar (dabrafenib) for the treatment of melanoma which has spread or can’t be completely removed by surgery and tests positive for the BRAF V600 mutation.

NICE proposes recommending dabrafenib on the basis that GSK provides the drug to the National Health Service with a discount on the list price. The size of the discount is commercial in confidence.

Carole Longson, Centre for Health Technology Evaluation director at NICE, said: “For a long time the treatments available for skin cancer which has spread have been very limited. However, in recent years a number of breakthrough treatments that can potentially significantly improve the prognosis for some people with malignant melanoma have become available. NICE has already recommended vemurafenib and ipilimumab and we hope to add dabrafenib to the list of options available. The information provided by GlaxoSmithKline, who markets the drug, suggested that dabrafenib works just as well as vemurafenib which also targets melanoma with the BRAF V600 mutation. Drugs like dabrafenib are also thought to have very rapid positive effect for patients, even in those who are very unwell or bed-ridden. In some cases, it has enabled people to resume everyday activities.”

Consultation document was not needed for appraisal