Feature / NICE update

NICE UPDATE

NICE published the following guidance in April.

Technology appraisal guidance

• TA309 Non-squamous, non-small-cell lung cancer: pemetrexed (maintenance) following induction therapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin – Pemetrexed is not recommended for the maintenance treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous, non-small-cell lung cancer in people whose disease has not progressed immediately following induction therapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin. No cost impact expected.
• TA310 Afatinib for treating epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer –The population eligible for treatment is about 450 per year in England. The technology is an additional treatment option alongside current standard options erlotinib and gefatinib, both available with a patient access scheme. Because afatinib is also available with a patient access scheme, it is not expected the cost of treatment will be significantly different from that of current standard treatments. Therefore, it is unlikely the guidance will result in a significant change in resource use in the NHS.
• TA311 Bortezomib for induction therapy in multiple myeloma before high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cel transplantation – The annual cost associated with implementing the guidance is put as £6.3m for the total population of England, based on the standard assumptions.
  

  Public health guidance

• PH52 Needle and syringe programmes (update) – A costing statement has been produced for this guidance as the variation in current local provision means it is not possible to quantify with reasonable certainty the impact of the recommendations on resources. It shows that, for a small investment, there is the potential to avoid major healthcare and societal costs in future.
  

  Clinical guidelines

• CG179 Pressure ulcers – A costing statement has been produced for the guideline because it is considered that implementing the recommendations will not have a significant resource impact.
  

  Diagnostic technology

• DG12 Measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) concentration in asthma: NIOX MINO, NIOX VERO and NObreath – The adoption pack states that measuring FENO is ‘simple, quick and convenient for patients, and cost-effective’. FENO testing will complement existing diagnostic tests and can aid asthma diagnosis and management, improving the quality of life and outcomes for asthma patients.

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