NICE recommends eculizumab for aHUS despite cost

“The program also needs to develop protocols for starting and stopping treatment with eculizumab for clinical reasons and introduce a research program to collect data to evaluate when stopping treatment or adjusting the dose of the drug might occur.”

Given that the budget impact of eculizumab for treating aHUS will be considerable, the draft guidance also recommends that NHS England and the drug’s developer, Alexion, should consider what opportunities might exist to reduce the overall cost of eculizumab to the NHS.

NICE has not yet issued final guidance to the NHS. These decisions may change after consultation. The public can comment on the preliminary recommendations, which will be available until midday on September 25.

Comments received during this consultation period will be considered by the advisory committee at its meeting in October and, following this meeting, the next draft guidance will be issued.