NHS regulator’s new osteoporosis guidance

15^th September 2010 - The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) says postmenopausal women who are at increased risk of osteoporotic fractures should be treated with denosumab - if treatment with current medication is unsuitable.

Denosumab is given by injection twice a year and works by reducing bone breakdown and increasing bone mass and strength. 

Most postmenopausal women at increased risk of osteoporotic fractures are treated with oral bisphosphonates, but for some women these medicines may be unsuitable.

Some women are unable to comply with the special instructions for the administration of oral bisphosphonates, such as not being able to remain standing or sitting upright for half an hour after taking them. Other women may not be able to tolerate these treatments.

‘Useful addition to the treatment options’

Dr Carole Longson, Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director at NICE, says in a statement: “Our independent Appraisal Committee felt that there was good quality evidence to show that denosumab is a useful addition to the treatment options available for women who can’t have oral bisphosphonates.  It should help to prevent a first fracture in women at increased risk and also help prevent further fractures in women who have already experienced one.

The annual cost of the treatment is £366.

Final guidance is expected to be published by NICE later this year. Until then, local NHS organisations in England have to make decisions locally on the funding of this treatment.