NICE issues final guidance on liraglutide

As part of its Single Technology Appraisal (STA) process to "fast track" appraisals of single technologies for single indications, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published final guidance on the use of liraglutide (brand name Victoza), a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, developed by Novo Nordisk, for patients with type 2 diabetes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

NICE recommends once-daily liraglutide 1.2mg as a clinically- and cost-effective therapy in combination with two oral anti-diabetic tablets for the control of specific subgroups of people with type 2 diabetes detailed in the guidance.

It also recommends, irrespective of BMI, that liraglutide 1.2mg be used in combination with just one oral anti-diabetic tablet if other tablets are unsuitable in combination with current treatments or cannot be taken due to intolerances.

The new guidance instructs the National Health Service (NHS) to provide mandatory funding for liraglutide. Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) must find funding for the drug within three months for the appropriate patients as indicated by the guidance.

Commenting on the decision, Dr Marc Evans, consultant diabetologist at the Llandough Hospital in Cardiff, said: "Liraglutide represents a valuable option for patients with type 2 diabetes and their healthcare professionals. This is a significant step towards achieving health equality for people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who qualify for treatment with liraglutide, which now requires mandatory funding from each PCT (Primary Care Trust)."

Liraglutide was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on July 3, 2009 and by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in some adults on January 25, 2010.