Archived: ranibizumab (Lucentis)

following a full submission:

ranibizumab (Lucentis®) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland.

Indication under review: for the treatment of visual impairment due to macular oedema (MO) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) (branch RVO or central RVO) in adults.

SMC restriction: restricted to use in patients with macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

Ranibizumab was associated with significant improvements in visual acuity during 6-month sham-controlled treatment in one study in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion  and in one study in patients with central retinal vein occlusion.  The benefits were considerable in patients with CRVO and there is a lack of alternative treatment options for these patients.

This SMC advice takes account of the benefits of a Patient Access Scheme (PAS) that improves the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab. This SMC advice is contingent upon the continuing availability of the PAS in NHS Scotland.

The submitting company did not present a sufficiently robust economic analysis for ranibizumab in the treatment of BRVO to gain acceptance by SMC.