Archived: pemetrexed (Alimta)

Advice

Following a full submission

pemetrexed (Alimta), in combination with cisplatin, is not recommended for use within NHS Scotland for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer other than predominantly squamous cell histology.

In a planned subgroup analysis of a study comparing pemetrexed plus cisplatin to another platinum-based combination regimen, treatment with pemetrexed plus cisplatin resulted in a small improvement in median survival in patients with a non-squamous histology.

Pemetrexed plus cisplatin provided better tolerability and more convenient administration. The manufacturer did not present a sufficiently robust economics case to gain acceptance by SMC. The licence holder has indicated their intention to resubmit.