In its draft guidance, NICE says nalmefene should be available as an option for those who regularly drink high amounts of alcohol. Nearly 600,000 people will be eligible to receive the treatment.

Nalmefene (also called Selincro and manufactured by Lundbeck) is taken as a tablet once a day on an as-needed basis and reduces the urge to drink. The drug is licensed for use alongside psychosocial support to help people reduce their alcohol consumption and give them the encouragement they need to continue with their treatment.

Professor Carole Longson, NICE Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director, said: “Alcohol dependence is a serious issue for many people. Those who could be prescribed nalmefene have already taken the first big steps by visiting their doctor, engaging with support services and taking part in therapy programmes. We are pleased to be able to recommend the use of namelfene to support people further in their efforts to fight alcohol dependence

“When used alongside psychosocial support nalmefene is clinically and cost effective for the NHS compared with psychosocial support alone.”

Final guidance on the use of nalmefene is expected to be published in November 2014. Until final guidance is published, decisions should be made locally on the funding of the treatment.

For more details, go to: https://www.nice.org.uk/news/press-and-media/nice-recommends-nalmefene-to-reduce-alcohol-dependence