The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7213 p271
31 August 2002

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National Institute of Clinical Excellence (www.nice.org.uk)

Consultation begins on eighth wave of NICE work

Eleven new treatments, including medicines for asthma, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, are now being considered for referral to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence. Stakeholders have until the end of September to comment on the proposed topics, which, if confirmed, will form part of an eighth wave work programme of appraisals and guidelines to be referred to NICE later this year.

The technologies to be looked at as part of the consultation are:

• Iressa (ZD1839) A new drug with a novel mode of action for non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumours

• Imatinib (Glivec) This has already been launched for second-line treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia and will now be considered as a treatment for gastro-intestinal stromal tumours

• Xaliproden A new drug aimed at treating the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis form of motor neurone disease, intended for use either as monotherapy or in combination with riluzole (already recommended by NICE)

• Omalizumab (Xolair) An antibody treatment for uncontrolled asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis, injected once or twice a month in a primary or secondary care asthma clinic

• Topical steroids The current mainstay treatment for atopic eczema that cannot be controlled with simple emollients. NICE to examine the difference between available products and evidence for using two doses per day instead of one

• Corticosteroids NICE to examine whether the more expensive corticosteroids are more effective asthma treatments than the cheaper alternatives, and in which patients

• Drotecogin (Xigris) and afelimomab (Segard) Drugs for severe sepsis that could offer advantages over existing treatments

• Alefacept, efalizumab and etanercept Three new drugs in development for moderate to severe psoriasis

• Pimecrolimus (Elidel) For treating relatively mild atopic dermatitis

• Dual chamber pacing in elderly patients As well as assessing the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of dual chamber pacemakers, NICE is to consider which patients these devices might be appropriate for use in

• Parent training programmes for treatment and prevention of conduct disorder NICE guidance to establish which programmes currently being offered by children's agencies are best supported by evidence. To be carried out with the Social Care Institute of Excellence