Advice
NICE is unable to recommend the use in the NHS of methylnaltrexone for treating opioid-induced bowel dysfunction in people with advanced illness receiving palliative care. This is because TMC Pharma Services has confirmed that it does not intend to make an evidence submission for the appraisal.
Information
If NHS organisations wish to consider methylnaltrexone for this indication, they should follow the advice on rational local decision making in the NHS Constitution for England and the NHS Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012. This outlines the approach that should be taken when there is no NICE guidance.
NICE will review the position if the company decides that it wants to make an evidence submission.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-6740-7