NICE Approves New Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Treatment

NICE Approves New Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Treatment Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) With First of Its Kind RA Patient Access Scheme

First RA treatment to be approved by NICE in more than two years

Slough, UK, EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 Thursday 21 January 2010 – A new drug will be available on the NHS from today for adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The drug, Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol), has received a positive appraisal from NICE and is recommended as an option for the treatment of adults with severe active RA on the condition that the Patient Access Scheme is implemented and the drug is prescribed in accordance with NICE TAG130.

The registered UK indication for the drug Cimzia is for use in combination with methotrexate (MTX), for the treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adult patients when the response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including methotrexate, has been inadequate. Cimzia can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate.

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