11 May 2016 - The first new drug for patients with lupus in more than 50 years could soon be available on the NHS to patients living with the condition in England and Wales, after NICE has finally recommended the use of GlaxoSmithKline’s Benlysta, five years after its European approval.

Belimumab (Benlysta) was cleared back in 2011 for autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus, but NICE has, until now, barred patients from accessing it on the NHS because it concluded that the drug did not represent a cost-effective use of resources.

The Institute’s latest draft guidelines now say treatment with Benlysta can be funded by the health service, but only under a managed access agreement agreed between GSK and NHS England, which will provide the drug at a discounted price, and on the condition that data is collected to help address remaining questions over its efficacy.

Benlysta has not been considered by the PBAC because its registration by the TGA in 2012.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmatimes.com/Article/16-05-11/NICE_backs_NHS_use_of_Benlysta_five_years_after_EU_nod.aspx