Advice

following an abbreviated submission

filgrastim (TevaGrastim®) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland.

Indications under review:

  • Reduction in the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients treated with established cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes);
  • Reduction in the duration of neutropenia in patients undergoing myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow transplantation considered to be at increased risk of prolonged severe neutropenia;
  • Mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC); 
  • In patients, children or adults, with severe congenital, cyclic, or idiopathic neutropenia with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of < 0.5 x 109/L, and a history of severe or recurrent infections, long term administration is indicated to increase neutrophil counts and to reduce the incidence and duration of infection-related events;
  • For the treatment of persistent neutropenia (ANC less than or equal to 1.0 x 109/L) in patients with advanced HIV infection, in order to reduce the risk of bacterial infections when other options to manage neutropenia are inappropriate.

Filgrastim (TevaGrastim®) is a follow on biosimilar product.  It is manufactured at the same production site and is identical to the biosimilar product filgrastim (Ratiograstim®), previously accepted for use by SMC.

The British National Formulary advises that it is good practice to prescribe biological medicinal products by brand name.

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Medicine details

Medicine name:
filgrastim (TevaGrastim)
SMC ID:
629/10
Indication:
Reduction in the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients treated with established cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes); Reduction in the duration of neutropenia in patients undergoing myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow transplantation considered to be at increased risk of prolonged severe neutropenia; Mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC); In patients, children or adults, with severe congenital, cyclic, or idiopathic neutropenia with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of < 0.5 x 109/L, and a history of severe or recurrent infections, long term administration is indicated to increase neutrophil counts and to reduce the incidence and duration of infection-related events; For the treatment of persistent neutropenia (ANC less than or equal to 1.0 x 109/L) in patients with advanced HIV infection, in order to reduce the risk of bacterial infections when other options to manage neutropenia are inappropriate.
Pharmaceutical company
Teva UK Limited
BNF chapter
Nutrition and blood
Submission type
Abbreviated
Status
Accepted
Date advice published
09 August 2010