Advice
Following a full submission
Pegylated interferon 2b (ViraferonPeg®) in combination with ribavirin (Rebetol®) is accepted within NHS Scotland for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hepatitis C who have failed previous treatment with interferon alfa (pegylated or non-pegylated) and ribavirin combination therapy or interferon alfa (pegylated or non-pegylated) monotherapy.
A sustained virologic response rate of 23% was achieved in a single arm study where relapsed or non-responding patients were treated with peginterferon 2b and ribavirin.
Re-treatment was more cost-effective with patients who had previously responded but relapsed compared to patients who did not respond to initial therapy.
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Medicine details
- Medicine name:
- pegylated interferon alfa 2b plus ribavirin (ViraferonPeg plus Rebetol)
- SMC ID:
- 488/08
- Indication:
- Hepatitis C patients who have failed previous treatment with interferon alpha and ribavirin combination therapy of interferon alpha monotherapy
- Pharmaceutical company
- Schering-Plough Ltd
- BNF chapter
- Malignant disease and immunosuppression
- Submission type
- Full
- Status
- Superseded
- Date advice published
- 11 August 2008