Feature / NICE update

NICE published the following guidance in October:

Technology guidance

• TA298 Ocriplasmin for treating vitreomacular traction – This technology is for the treatment of adults with vitreomacular traction, when associated with a macular hole of diameter less than or equal to 400 microns. It is administered by intravitreal injection at a dose of 0.125 micrograms. The annual cost associated with implementing this is put at £2m for the total population of England, based on the standard assumptions in the model.

Diagnostic technology guidance

• DG11 Faecal calprotectin diagnostic tests to differentiate inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome – Faecal calprotectin testing is recommended by NICE as an option to help doctors distinguish between inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, and non-inflammatory bowel diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome. The annual savings related to implementing the recommendations are estimated to be £20,000 for a population of 100,000. Most savings are likely to be realised by commissioners as a result of reduced referrals and investigations. The average cost of a test is £23.

Public health guidance

• PH47 Overweight and obese children and young people – lifestyle weight management services – In 2011 in England, about three in 10 children and young people aged two to 15 years were either overweight or obese. Various diseases or conditions such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease are associated with obesity in childhood. A way to tackle these issues is for local organisations to develop lifestyle weight management services that aim to support children and young people and their families to make sustainable changes to their physical activity and eating behaviours, with the aim of reducing their weight to a healthy level. The annual cost, from year five onwards, associated with implementing the guidance is estimated as £4.8m for the total population of England, based on the standard assumptions in the model.

NICE update was prepared by Stephen Brookfield, senior costing analyst at NICE