“NICE, the healthcare guidance body, has .....issued draft guidance updating its previous recommendations on the use of alteplase (Actilyse, Boehringer Ingelheim) for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. NICE has recommended alteplase within the NHS as long as treatment is started as early as possible within 4.5 hours after onset of stroke symptoms, and after intracranial haemorrhage has been excluded by appropriate imaging techniques. The update was prompted by a change in the drug's licence which allows an extension in the time period it can be used, from within 3 hours to within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms.” (Source, NICE)
The Evidence Review Group that undertook the review was ScHARR-TAG, with Sarah Davis, Michael Holmes, Emma Simpson and Anthea Sutton leading the work. All ICERs uner £20K and no complicating issues? Surely not. Their work can be found here.
