NICE Single Technology Appraisal Guidance No 190 – Pemetrexed
for the maintenance treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer
This NICE Guidance was published on 23 June 2010. The web
reference for the appraisal and other related documents is:
http://www.nice.org.uk/TA190
NHSScotland should note
that:
1. Recommendations of NICE Single Technology
Appraisals (STAs) have no status in NHSScotland.
2. NHS boards should adhere to the Scottish
Medicines Consortium (SMC) advice.
SMC published a Statement of Advice (770/12) on
this medication for this indication in February 2012. This stated
that:
pemetrexed (Alimta®)is not recommended for use
within NHS Scotland as monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of
locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer other
than predominantly squamous cell histology in patients whose
disease has not progressed immediately following platinum-based
chemotherapy.
SMC has previously issued not recommended
advice for pemetrexed monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of
non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have had first line
treatment with cisplatin plus gemcitabine, paclitaxel or
docetaxel. The marketing authorisation for pemetrexed has recently
been extended to allow its use as maintenance therapy in patients
who have had first-line treatment with cisplatin plus pemetrexed.
The holder of the marketing authorisation has not made a submission
to SMC regarding the use of this product in this setting. As a
result we cannot recommend its use within NHSScotland.
Access the advice of SMC:
3. There is a material difference between the
recommendations of the NICE STA and SMC. NICE recommended this
medicine in this indication
Published Date: 23 June 2010
