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Publication Date: 07 October 2011
Arthritis Care has welcomed today's publication of NICE's preliminary guidance on the use of tocilizumab (RoActemra) for rheumatoid arthritis.
Federico Moscogiuri, head of policy & campaigns, said: ‘The appraisal consultation document published today recommends making tocilizumab more easily available to people with rheumatoid arthritis. This is the first time that a drug other than an anti-TNF has been recommended for second-line treatment of this often debilitating disease.
Although it must be stressed that this guidance is only preliminary, it represents a is a very encouraging development in terms of improving treatment options for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Care will be preparing a full response to the consultation in due course, and will continue calling for greater choice in treatment options for people with all forms of arthritis.’
Should the NICE recommendations become final guidance following consultation, tocilizumab will become available for people with rheumatoid arthritis following the use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), without having to try rituximab first.
Anyone with questions about arthritis can call Arthritis Care's helplines free on 0808 800 4050 or email Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk
