The Department of Health has asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce guidance on using botulinum toxin type A (known commercially as BOTOX®) in the NHS in England and Wales. NICE has published draft guidance today (Thursday 16 February), which asks the company that makes BOTOX® to provide more information on using the injected drug to prevent headaches in adults with chronic migraine.

NICE's independent committee of experts does not believe that the evidence already provided by the manufacturer, Allergan, is sufficient for it to develop guidance for the NHS; and so without additional information, it is inclined not to recommend BOTOX® as a treatment option. NICE has prepared an appraisal consultation document which summarises the evidence and views that have been considered, and sets out the draft recommendations made by the Committee. NICE is currently inviting the public and the consultees and commentators for this appraisal, to comment on this consultation document.

The NICE recommendations may change after consultation. The deadline for comments is 8 March 2012 and final NICE guidance for the NHS is expected in June 2012. For more details about the consultation and to submit comments, please visit the NICE website.

Please refer to the following 2 key documents (link below)

Migraine (chronic) - botulinum toxin type A: appraisal consultation document 

Migraine (chronic) - botulinum toxin type A: evaluation report