NICE Final Draft Guidance recommends providing National Health System (NHS) patients with a phakic lens access to the only sustained-release treatment lasting up to 36 months for chronic diabetic macular edema (DME)

Alimera Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALIM) (“Alimera”), a global pharmaceutical company whose mission is to be invaluable to patients, physicians and partners concerned with retinal health and maintaining better vision longer, announces that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued Final Draft Guidance recommending that patients with a natural lens (phakic patients) being treated for chronic diabetic macular edema (DME) have access to ILUVIEN 190 microgram intravitreal implant in applicator (fluocinolone acetonide).

“This is great news that NICE has issued final draft guidance to make ILUVIEN available for phakic patients suffering with chronic DME,” said Rick Eiswirth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alimera. “These patients represent up to 75% of the overall DME population in the United Kingdom* who will now potentially have access to ILUVIEN to help control the recurrence of the disease for up to 36 months. We look forward to the publication of Final Guidance shortly.”

NICE is recommending on label access to ILUVIEN as an option for treating visual impairment caused by chronic DME in phakic eyes. The Final Guidance for ILUVIEN in phakic eyes will be issued after February 22, 2024, when it will be combined with the previous NICE recommendation for patients with a pseudophakic lens and re-issued as a single updated guidance from NICE.

NHS England has agreed with the Integrated Care Boards (ICB’s) to provide funding to implement this guidance 30 days after publication. NHS Wales will usually fund within 2 months of the final draft guidance.