For the first time, NICE approved NHS use of a drug under a response–rebate scheme.
This means that if a patient shows no response to the drug, the manufacturer has to refund its cost to the NHS.
But NICE said the scheme was only considered after being suggested by manufacturer Janssen-Cilag.
If response–rebate is to be considered in the future it would have to be suggested by manufacturers and be approved in principle by the DoH.
A NICE spokesman said: ‘There are a number of factors that might need to be considered, such as whether it would be clinically appropriate for continuation of treatment to be determined on the basis of an appropriate response measure and how well the response measure predicts actual health outcomes.’
rachel.liddle@haymarket.com
More information about bortexomib on the NICE website.
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