Pfizer’s Inlyta is finally on course for routine use on the NHS in England and Wales after being recommended in final draft guidance.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which provides healthcare guidance for the NHS, backed the use of Inlyta (axitinib) in advanced kidney cancer two years after turning down the drug in the indication in draft guidance.
At the time NICE’s chief executive criticised the data provided by Pfizer as it lacked a comparison to ‘best supportive care’ among other concerns.
Pfizer appealed the decision with the submission of extra data and the introduction of a discount through a patient access scheme leading to a change of heart from NICE earlier this year when it posted subsequent draft guidance in March.
Now the organisation has issued final draft guidance that recommends Inlyta as a treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma in patients who have failed treatment with a first line tyrosine kinase inhibitor or a cytokine.
Prof Carole Longson, director of NICE’s Health Technology Evaluation Centre said: “NICE was asked by the Department of Health to look at axitinib for people who have already been treated with a cytokine or a drug known as a kinase inhibitor. This draft guidance recommends that the NHS provides axitinib for these patients.
“Although, this recommendation has not changed since the previous draft guidance, the updated draft includes some clarification around prescribing axitinib.
The draft guidance is now up for further consultation with final guidance to published soon. Until then the drug is available via the Cancer Drugs Fund.