NICE recommends Firmagon (degarelix) to treat men with advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer who have spinal metastases.- Ferring

Ferring Pharmaceuticals announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Firmagon (degarelix) for a group of men with advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer � those with spinal metastases. This announcement comes after a review process lasting over 3 years, and follows NICE�s most recent draft Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD) published in June 2015, which recommended against the use of Firmagon within its marketing authorisation for treating advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer.

Firmagon was first approved by the European Medicines Agency for men with advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer in 2009, and has been available in the UK since 2010. The ongoing changes to NICE�s guidance since then have resulted in great variations in in the UK since 2010. The ongoing changes to NICE�s guidance since then have resulted in great variations in access to Firmagon across the UK, and between regions in England and Northern Ireland. The use of Firmagon has been recommended in Scotland and Wales for several years for its full indication.