What has NICE said?
Omalizumab (Xolair) is recommended as a possible treatment for people aged 12 years and over with severe chronic spontaneous urticaria if:
-
a doctor has objectively diagnosed the condition as severe
-
the condition has not improved with standard treatment with H1‑antihistamines or leukotriene receptor antagonists
-
the drug is stopped at or before the fourth dose if the condition has not responded
-
the drug is stopped at the end of a course of treatment (6 doses) if the condition has responded, and is only restarted if the condition comes back
-
the drug is given by a secondary care specialist in dermatology, immunology or allergy.
What does this mean for me?
If you have chronic spontaneous urticaria, and your doctor thinks that omalizumab is the right treatment, you should be able to have the treatment on the NHS.
Omalizumab should be available on the NHS within 3 months of the guidance being issued.
If you are not eligible for treatment as described above but are already taking omalizumab, you should be able to continue treatment until you and your doctor decide it is the right time to stop.