Archived: pemetrexed (Alimta)

Advice

Following a resubmission

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 with 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.

The manufacturer did not present a sufficiently robust economics case to gain acceptance by SMC.

The licence holder has advised their intention to resubmit