The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has announced, in its Final Appraisal Determination (FAD), that Baraclude® (entecavir) is recommended as an option for treatment of eligible patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Entecavir is a potent antiviral treatment for chronic Hepatitis B.  It's been shown to be more effective at suppressing the virus than the most widely used antiviral treatment (lamivudine) and it is less prone to the development of treatment resistance. 

The recommendation in this FAD is due to be published as final NICE guidance in August of this year.

"This is very welcome news for patients with chronic hepatitis B" said Penny Wilson-Webb, Chief Executive of Hepatitis B Foundation UK. "Entecavir offers a potent new treatment for people with chronic hepatitis B, whether they're HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative. We're delighted with NICE's decision".

The following people were selected from clinical specialist and patient advocate nominations from the non-manufacturer/sponsor consultees and commentators. They gave their expert personal view on entecavir by attending the initial Committee discussion and providing written evidence to the Committee.

• Professor Howard Thomas, nominated by the British Society of Gastroenterologists – clinical specialist (Trustee, Hepatitis B Foundation UK).
• Dr Elizabeth Boxall, nominated by the Association of Clinical Microbiologists – clinical specialist (Trustee, Hepatitis B Foundation UK).
• Professor Geoffrey Dusheiko, nominated by the Royal College of Physicians – clinical specialist (Medical Advisor, Hepatitis B Foundation UK).
• Penny Wilson Webb, nominated by Hepatitis B Foundation UK – patient expert (Chief Executive, Hepatitis B Foundation UK).
• James Windsor, nominated by Hepatitis B Foundation UK – patient expert.