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The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently published final guidance on the use of Entecavir and Telbivudine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

NICE produced these two pieces of guidance as part of its rapid single technology appraisal (STA) work programme. The guidance states:

• Entecavir is recommended as an option for the treatment of people with chronic HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative hepatitis B in whom antiviral treatment is indicated.
• Telbivudine is not recommended for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. People currently receiving telbivudine should have the option to continue therapy until they and their clinicians consider it appropriate to stop.

This guidance does not apply to people with chronic hepatitis B who also have hepatitis C, hepatitis D or HIV.

Dr Gillian Leng, NICE Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Lead for the guideline, said: “Hepatitis B is a disease that can have a serious impact on a person’s quality of life, and those with the disease are more likely to develop serious liver problems such as cirrhosis and cancer. The independent Committee carefully considered the evidence and concluded that entecavir offered a good use of NHS resources for this condition.”

Notes to Editors

About the guidance

1. The Entecavir and Telbivudine guidance is available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/TA153 and http://www.nice.org.uk/TA154 respectively.

About NICE

2. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.

3. NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:

• public health – guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health for those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector
• health technologies – guidance on the use of new and existing medicines, treatments and procedures within the NHS
• clinical practice – guidance on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS