Novartis receives NICE recommendation for Tasigna

Novartis has been granted a recommendation for its chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) therapy Tasigna (nilotinib) by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Final guidance from the UK regulator has endorsed the drug for the treatment of chronic and accelerated CML patients who are unable to benefit from standard-dose imatinib.

The decision came after Novartis agreed to provide the NHS with an undisclosed discount on the cost of purchasing Tasigna, thus allaying NICE's concerns over the drug's cost.

Professor Carole Longson, health technology evaluation centre director at NICE, said this discount was important, due to the fact that CML requires treatment for a long period of time.

"We are very pleased to be able to recommend nilotinib as a treatment option for the chronic and accelerated phases in people who are resistant or intolerant to standard dose imatinib," she added.

Last week, Novartis demonstrated its commitment to UK oncology by presenting its PRIMe Award to a leading researcher from Birmingham.