The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has applauded the appeal success of the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS), in the matter of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s (NICE) Guidance for the primary and secondary prevention of osteoporotic fracture, and has called for continuing efforts to ensure that clinically appropriate and scientifically robust Guidance is made available.
As an umbrella organization representing more than 180 patient and medical societies worldwide, IOF is concerned that patients receive the care they deserve. “The NICE decision means going back to the table and working together to come up with revised Guidance that provides for a range of effective treatments,” said IOF President Professor Pierre D. Delmas.
The original NICE Guidance named alendronate as the only drug that UK Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) must make available to patients. Moreover treatment was denied to all but those at the highest risk. Whilst cost-effective, alendronate is not suitable for all patients.
Professor Delmas added, “The International Osteoporosis Foundation joins the NOS’s call for more osteoporosis treatments to be included within the NICE Guidance and for the Guidance to be less restrictive so that patients who should be prescribed an appropriate treatment to protect against future fracture receive that treatment.”
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Bone