PEGASYS (peginterféron alfa-2a) - Polycythaemia vera or essential thrombocythaemia,

Opinions on drugs - Posted on Aug 07 2025

Reason for request

Inclusion on list

Summary of opinion  

Favourable opinion for reimbursement only in the treatment of polycythaemia vera or essential thrombocythaemia, in adult patients with intolerance or failure to hydroxycarbamide or when the use of hydroxycarbamide is not appropriate (young patients or those planning a pregnancy). 

Unfavourable opinion for reimbursement in the other situations covered by the MA indication.


Clinical Benefit

Substantial

The clinical benefit of PEGASYS (peginterferon alfa-2a) is substantial only in the treatment of polycythaemia vera or essential
thrombocythaemia, in adult patients with intolerance or failure to hydroxycarbamide or when the use of hydroxycarbamide is not appropriate (young patients or those planning a pregnancy). 

Insufficient

Tthe clinical benefit of PEGASYS (peginterferon alfa-2a) is insufficient to justify public funding in the other MA situations.  


Clinical Added Value

no clinical added value
  • Considering: 
    limited data from the literature having suggested an efficacy of PEGASYS (peginterferon alfa-2a) in terms of response rate,
  • the lack of robust efficacy and safety data compared to the other alternatives,
  • the well-established use of peginterferon alfa-2a in the treatment of polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia,
  • the absence of robust data on quality of life,
  • the safety protocol marked, in particular, by haematological adverse events (anaemia, leukopenia, lymphopenia), flu-like symptoms, injection site reactions, peripheral sensory neuropathy, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, nausea), psychiatric adverse events (depression), ocular adverse events, skin toxicity, hypertension and asthenia,

the Committee deems that PEGASYS (peginterferon alfa-2a) provides no clinical added value (CAV V) in the care pathway for the treatment of polycythaemia vera or essentialthrombocythaemia, in adult patients with intolerance or failure to hydroxycarbamide or when the use of hydroxycarbamide is not appropriate (young patients or those planning apregnancy). In the other situations of the MA: not applicable.

Not applicable

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