In its Final Appraisal Recommendation, the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) has supported the use within NHS Wales of filgrastim (Nivestim®) as an option for the treatment of neutropenia as follows:

• For the reduction in duration of neutropenia and incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients treated with established cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with the exception of CML and myelodysplastic syndromes) and for the reduction in duration of neutropenia in patients undergoing myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow transplantation considered to be at increased risk of prolonged severe neutropenia.

• For the mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells.

• In patients, children or adults, with severe congenital, cyclic, or idiopathic neutropenia with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 0.5 × 109/l and a history of severe or recurrent infections, long term administration is indicated to increase neutrophil counts and to reduce the incidence and duration of infection-related events.

• For the treatment of persistent neutropenia (ANC less than or equal to 0.5 × 109/l) in patients with advanced HIV infection, in order to reduce the risk of bacterial infections when other options to manage neutropenia are inappropriate.

Filgrastim (Nivestim®) is not suitable for shared care within NHS Wales for the above indications and should be prescribed by brand name to avoid automatic substitution and therefore help with pharmacovigilance.