Eisai, Pfizer neurology news

The U.K.'s Court of Appeal ruled that procedural fairness requires NICE to release a “fully executable” version of the cost-effectiveness model it used to produce guidance that restricted access to three drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The court found that NICE's refusal to disclose such a model put the consultees at a disadvantage in challenging its reliability. Eisai had appealed an August 2007 decision by the High Court, which found in favor of NICE on five out of six claims brought against it over the institute's decision to limit access to the drugs (see BioCentury, Oct. 8, 2007).

NICE CEO Andrew Dillon said the ruling would increase the complexity of the institute's appraisals in some cases, which “may take longer as a result.” He said NICE would provide an executable version of the economic model used in its appraisal to Eisai for comment. Dillon noted that the ruling did not require NICE to amend or withdraw its current guidance on the AD drugs. NICE guidance recommends that the AD drugs only be used in patients with moderate AD. ...