Bayer receives NICE recommendation for Eylea

Bayer has received a recommendation for approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for a new indication of its eye disorder treatment Eylea.

The organisation has now published final guidance suggesting the drug – which is also known under its scientific name aflibercept – should be permitted for use with patients suffering from visual impairment as a result of macular oedema. 

Under this new recommendation, Eylea can now be utilised widely within the NHS in England and Wales to treat this condition, placing it in direct competition with Novartis' Lucentis, which received a similar approval in May 2013.

Eylea is set to be used in cases where macular oedema has been caused by central retinal vein occlusion – essentially a blockage of a vein in the retina. This can lead to painful eye conditions or blindness if left untreated.

Unlike Lucentis, Bayer's treatment does not require monthly visits to hospital to monitor its progress. Both drugs will be provided to the NHS at a discount through a patient access scheme.