The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7466 p198
25 August 2007

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Pemetrexed rejected by NICE for non-small cell lung cancer

?The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence hasrejected antifolate agent pemetrexed (Alimta) in guidance released this week.

NICE ruled that pemetrexed should not be used to treat locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, saying that the drug would not be a cost-effective use of NHS resources when compared with either docetaxel or best supportive care. The reduction in rates of alopecia seen with pemetrexed is not sufficient reason to recommend it as an alternative to docetaxel, NICE says.