NICE reverses ban on pimecrolimus
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is to overturn a recommendation to ban pimecrolimus (Elidel) as a second line treatment for moderate atopic eczema on the face and neck in children aged 2 to 16 years.
The preliminary recommendation was made in a consultation report in April but experts and patient groups told NICE that pimecrolimus was a useful alternative to topical steroid treatment for atopic eczema.
NICE are now recommending in a final appraisal determination report that pimecrolimus can be used within its licensed indications as an option for the second-line treatment of moderate atopic eczema on the face and neck in children aged 2 to 16 years. It says it should be used for eczema that has not been controlled by topical corticosteroids and where there is a serious risk of adverse effects from further topical corticosteroid use, particularly irreversible skin atrophy.
The final recommendation will be published as an official ruling in a few weeks. Further information from www.nice.org.uk