NICE has issued its Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on the use of Victoza (liraglutide) for people with type 2 diabetes in the UK, the only therapy of its kind due to receive statutory funding direction. Liraglutide is a once-daily injectable human GLP-1 analogue which lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating the release of insulin only when glucose levels become too high. In addition, it also inhibits appetite.
The FAD recommends once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg as clinically and cost effective in combination with two oral anti-diabetic tablets for the treatment of some patients with type 2 diabetes. Liraglutide 1.2 mg can be used in combination with one oral anti-diabetic tablet if other tablets are unsuitable in combination with other current treatments or cannot be taken due to intolerances.
Professor Anthony Barnett, Professor of Medicine, University of Birmingham and Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham commented, “This is good news for healthcare professionals and their patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is an enduring challenge for the NHS and liraglutide is now a valuable option available through the NHS for treating appropriate patients who we, as healthcare professionals, believe will benefit from the therapy.”
Viggo Birch, Managing Director, Novo Nordisk Limited “People with type 2 diabetes are at risk of complications because their blood sugar is not being controlled. Diabetes and its complications cost the NHS around £9 billion each year. As a company our drive is to defeat all forms of diabetes, and ensure people receive the highest quality of care. We believe liraglutide in combination with either one or two anti-diabetic tablets can have significant benefits for people living with type 2 diabetes and are delighted NICE has recognised this.”
