NICE approval granted for iluvien implant

Finally we are allowed to broadcast the fact that Iluvien implants are now approved by NICE for prevention of relapse in recurrent non-infectious uveitis (NIU-PS) which includes birdshot uveitis. https://t.co/YWx9qxXL2k

As some of you already know BUS played an important part in the appraisal process by providing our expert statement as well as our very own patient expert witness, who, as well as providing written evidence, attended the actual appraisal and we understand spoke eloquently at the hearing about her own experiences. Uveitis consultant Laura Steeples from Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, provided her professional expertise in the assessment process. 

From feedback received, NICE took into account what the professional and patient experts had to say, but of course cost is always critical, so we understand that negotiations on this front were required. 

One more tool for our doctors to use, but we note that the guidance says: ” …if clinically appropriate.” so it is unlikely to be handed out too freely because of the cost considerations and is likely to be offered only to patients who really need it.

Following publication of its Final Appraisal Document, NICE requires that clinical commissioning groups, NHS England, and local authorities comply with its recommendation on ILUVIEN® within 3 months and within 2 months for NHS Wales.

Mr Carlos Pavesio, Specialist Uveitis Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, said: “It is welcome news that there is now a long-acting intravitreal steroid available on the NHS for preventing relapse in patients with NIU-PS, as this is a treatment priority for this condition. Preventing vision loss due to relapse has a huge impact on patients’ quality of life.”

Complications resulting from intraocular inflammation can damage the eye, so timely diagnosis and effective management of NIU-PS are imperative to avoid potentially severe vision loss.

36-month data from the PSV-FAI-001 study, presented at The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual conference in April 2019, showed that significantly more eyes treated with ILUVIEN®experienced no recurrence* of uveitis over three years compared to those in the treated control group (34.5% of eyes treated with ILUVIEN®versus 2.4% treated control).

The secondary outcomes of the study showed that patients treated with ILUVIEN®had a reduced need of adjunctive systemic or immunosuppressant treatments.

Please find a link to the iluvien.co.uk website for more patient information. NICE

Treatment with adalimumab (Humira®) now available in Wales

There is progress in Wales regarding an interim policy, published October 2016, for adalimumab (Humira®) for the treatment of adult patients with severe refractory non-infectious uveitis.

You can access the full Welsh interim policy at the link below.

Interim policy for treatment of adult patients in Wales with severe refractory non-infectious uveitis

The big question is: when is England going to catch up with Wales and Scotland (and the rest of the world)?

We were told, back in October 2015, that the published results of the VISUAL 1 and VISUAL 11  studies were required to permit the use of adalimumab to treat severe refractory non-infectious uveitis. Both sets of results are now available. We have been waiting patiently, but NHS England appears to be putting up a road block and looking for excuses for further delays.

NHS England has not yet responded to a jointly-signed letter on this subject, sent some weeks ago from ourselves (BUS), RNIB, Fight for Sight and Olivia’s Vision. There is also no sign of anyone at NHS England taking any notice of the desperate plight that a few of our members who need adalimumab treatment have had to endure for a considerable period of time. Meanwhile, their sight is continuing to deteriorate.

This is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs. BUS will continue to update you on the situation.

 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Birdshot Retinochoroidopathy

Birdshot retinochoroidopathy requires early therapy to limit damage, preserve vision and induce long-term remission.

Akbar Shakoor, MD, and Albert T. Vitale MD, Salt Lake City

– See more at: http://www.revophth.com/content/d/retinal_insider/c/42258/#sthash.UodcC2eS.dpuf

Albert Vitale was one of the speakers at the International Birdshot Symposium held in Boston, USA in September 2013. Continue reading