Novartis’ Lucentis receives NICE backing for macular oedema

Novartis' ranibizumab-based drug Lucentis has been granted a recommendation from the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for the treatment of macular oedema.

Final draft guidance issued by the UK regulator has endorsed the therapy for macular oedema caused by central or branch retinal vein occlusion – common conditions that can affect a patient's ability to see detail and colour.

Sir Andrew Dillon, chief executive at NICE, said the drug will receive a full recommendation "if the manufacturer provides it to the NHS under terms agreed in a patient access scheme, which makes the treatment more cost effective".

The draft guidance has now been issued to consultees – including Novartis, national patient and carer groups and bodies representing health professionals – for appeal and factual changes.

It is expected that NICE will publish final guidance on the drug in May 2013.

This comes after the regulatory body issued a recommendation for Novartis' cystic fibrosis therapy Tobi Podhaler earlier this month.