NICE draft guidance does not support the use of Oxervate (cenegermin) for neurotrophic keratitis.- Dompé
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published draft guidelines rejecting funding for Oxervate (cenegermin) from Dompé, as a treatment for neurotrophic keratitis. NICE reported that evidence showing the clinical effectiveness of the drug was uncertain. Cenegermin is an artificial nerve growth factor, administered by eye drops, that stimulates healing to prevent further sight loss.
There is no cure available for the disease. Cost-effectiveness estimates for cenegermin were higher than the level that NICE considers acceptable for the NHS, with an ICER for cenegermin compared with artificial tears of more than £30,000 per QALY gained.
Comment: The benefits with Oxervate are its ability to stimulate corneal healing and restore ocular surface integrity in patients with neurotrophic keratitis suffering from persistent epithelial defects or corneal ulcers. The most common side effects are eye pain, eye inflammation, increased lacrimation and foreign body sensation in the eye.
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