Today NICE, England published final draft guidance recommending Ixekizumab for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The draft guidance can be found here
Ixekizumab is recommended as an option for treating plaque psoriasis in adults, only if:
- the disease is severe, as defined by a total Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of 10 or more and a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) of more than 10,
- the disease has not responded to standard systemic therapies, for example, ciclosporin, methotrexate and PUVA (psoralen and long-wave ultraviolet radiation), or the person cannot have the treatment or it is not tolerated, and
- the company provides the drug with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.
The draft guidance is now with consultees, who have the opportunity to appeal against it. Until NICE issues final guidance, NHS bodies should make decisions locally on the funding of specific treatments. Once NICE recommends a treatment ‘as an option’, the NHS must make sure it is available within 3 months (unless otherwise specified) of its date of publication.
Contact pressoffice@nice.org.uk if you require further information.