NICE backs Nplate for severe ITP

The U.K.'s NICE reversed a decision on Nplate romiplostim from Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) in a second preliminary appraisal and now recommends the drug for some patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). NICE backs use of the product in patients whose condition is refractory to standard active treatments and rescue therapies or in patients who have severe disease and a high risk of bleeding that requires frequent courses of rescue therapies. The recommendation is contingent upon Amgen providing Nplate with an undisclosed rebate on the list price under a patient access scheme.

Last year, NICE recommended against Nplate in an initial preliminary appraisal due to insufficient evidence of the relative effectiveness of Nplate compared with other active treatments. Amgen resubmitted an economic model for Nplate that included revised incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) and the patient access scheme. Comments are due by Jan. 11. ...