In brief

NICE rules out asthma drug: The UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has ruled out omalizumab (Xolair) for severe persistent allergic asthma in children aged 6-11 years. In new draft guidance NICE said that it offered little extra benefit over existing treatments so was not an effective use of NHS resources (www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=folder&o=50292). Children currently taking it should have the opportunity to continue treatment until it is considered appropriate to stop. Appeals against the guidance must be submitted by 26 August. Final guidance is expected in September. …