NICE update: type 1 diabetes treatment approved

NICE has published three technology appraisals with positive recommendations in recent weeks, alongside three guidelines. The guidelines – Supporting adult carers (NG150), Colorectal cancer (NG151) and Leg ulcer infection: antimicrobial prescribing (NG152) – are supported by resource impact statements detailing why implementing the guidelines is not expected to lead to a significant resource impact.

Technology appraisal TA622 recommends sotagliflozin with insulin as an option for treating type 1 diabetes. It is suitable for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 27 kg/m2, when insulin alone does not provide adequate glycaemic control despite optimal insulin therapy, under certain conditions.

Sotagliflozin is not yet available in the NHS, but the company anticipates it will be available to the NHS in England and Wales within 12 months of the guidance publication. So, the period of time the NHS has to comply with these recommendations has been extended (see the section on implementation within the guidance). Implementing this guidance is not expected to have a significant resource impact.

TA623 recommends patiromer as an option for treating hyperkalaemia in adults, but only in certain circumstances. The potential resource impact of implementing this guidance should be assessed locally as the list price of one of the other treatment options, sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, has a discount that is commercial in confidence.

Finally, TA624 recommends peginterferon beta‑1a as an option for treating relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis in adults. Implementing this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on resources.

Gary Shield is a resource impact assessment manager at NICE