NICE issues Final Guidance on biologic therapy options post TNF failure
Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of a TNF inhibitor
Part review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 36Review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 126 and 141
On Wednesday 25th August, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued final guidance in regard to biologic options available to patients and clinicians after the failure of a first Anti-TNF drug. This final guidance reverses earlier decisions made by NICE and whilst it comes with restrictions, it will enable thousands of people with RA to have access to additional effective treatment options in their pathway, something we at NRAS have been striving for, for a long time.
The Guidance is as follows:
Rituximab in combination with methotrexate is still recommended as an option for the treatment of adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to, or have an intolerance of, other DMARDs, including at least one TNF inhibitor. Additional treatment options are now recommended for these adults if rituximab therapy is contraindicated or withdrawn because of an adverse event, specifically:
- If rituximab is contraindicated or withdrawn, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and abatacept, each in combination with methotrexate, are now recommended as treatment options.
- If rituximab therapy cannot be given because methotrexate is contraindicated or withdrawn because of an adverse event, adalimumab and etanercept, each as monotherapy, are now recommended as treatment options
Ailsa Bosworth, CEO of NRAS said:
“This decision is very good news for the many patients who will benefit now and in the future. We would have preferred to have been give the freedom to use the above drugs in all their licensed indications, but the reversal by NICE is very encouraging as it shows that rheumatoid arthritis is being recognised as a serious but treatable condition.”
For more information please request a copy of our Biologics Guide for patients or speak to our helpline.
NRAS, 25th August, 2010
Maidenhead