Eli Lilly NSCLC drug ‘not effective use of resources’

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued its final guidance on the use of Eli Lilly drug Alimta (pemetrexed) on the NHS as a treatment for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Claiming that the expense of the drug does not make the best use of healthcare resources, the institute has recommended that this drug not be used on the NHS.

This announcement follows an appeal by Lilly against earlier recommendations encompassed in the Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) from NICE.

Andrew Dillon, chief executive of NICE, said: “The independent Appraisal Committee was not persuaded that the evidence presented provided a robust demonstration of the clinical and cost effectiveness of pemetrexed compared with either docetaxel or best supportive care.”

He added that the appeal panel decision has resulted in the upholding of the earlier FAD, with it concluded that the prescribing of Alimta will not result in an effective use of NHS resources.

In June 2007, Lilly Oncology presented phase III clinical trial data for Alimta as a treatment for NSCLC as one of the 76 studies exhibited at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.