NICE gives Roche's MabThera final nod for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
After another volte face NICE, the health technology appraisal institute for England and Wales has today published final guidance recommending Roche's MabThera (rituximab) as a first-line maintenance treatment for patients with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who have responded to first-line induction therapy with rituximab along with chemotherapy. Positive final draft guidance issued in May made a second U-turn on previous draft guidance (scripintelligence.com, 24 May 2011). Earlier draft recommendations put out in March said the institute could not recommend the drug without more information after looking poised to give the drug the green light in December 2010 (scripintelligence.com, 1 March 2011).