NICE has ruled that it is unable to assess Iressa (gefitinib) in non-small cell lung cancer and has requested more information from the manufacturer.
In draft guidance, NICE has asked AstraZeneca to provide more data on the effectiveness of its product as a treatment for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
This draft guidance has been issued for consultation and the manufacturer now has an opportunity to respond to the independent Appraisal Committee’s considerations and requests.
NICE has requested further exploration of progression-free survival and overall survival beyond the time frame of a study called the ‘Iressa Pan ASian Study’ (IPAS). NICE has also requested further cost effectiveness analysis for this indication.
Dr Carole Longson, Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director at NICE, said: “Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for around 80% of all cases. NICE has already recommended a number of treatments for this condition and hoped to add gefitinib as an option for patients and their clinicians to consider.
“However, in this instance, the Appraisal Committee could not assess whether gefitinib is a cost-effective treatment option because it did not have sufficient information to do so. The next step in the NICE process is for the manufacturer to consider the Committee’s comments and respond to its concerns.”
NICE’s preliminary recommendations are available for public consultation until 19 February 2010. Until NICE issues final guidance, NHS bodies are encouraged to make decisions locally on the funding of specific treatments.