Cost regulators are backing the use of Janssen’s Olysio (simeprevir sodium) for the treatment of hepatitis C on the National Health Service, but only in a restricted group of patients.

The drug was approved in Europe in May to treat HCV genotypes 1 and 4, as well as in combination with Gilead Sciences’ Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) as part of the very first 12-week, all-oral, once-daily, interferon-free combination.

But in draft guidelines published today, NICE has only endorsed Olysio, in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, as a treatment option for genotype 1. 

It has, however, requested more information on the drug’s use for this group of HCV patients, specifically “a detailed rationale” about whether the clinical effectiveness in people with genotype 1 can be generalised to those with genotype 4 HCV.

The Institute also said evidence was not robust enough for it to approve Olysio alongside Sovaldi, which will no doubt be disappointing news for patients. 

Elsewhere, NICE has backed the use of GlaxoSmthKline’s Tafinlar (dabrafenib mesylate) for the treatment of melanoma which has spread or can’t be completely removed by surgery and tests positive for the BRAF V600 mutation, which is linked to 50% of aggressive forms of the disease.

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