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Publication Date: 08 October 2009
A new drug for people with rheumatoid arthritis was launched in the UK by its manufacturers on 8 October 2009.
Tocilizumab, (brand name RoActemra) is licensed for use by people with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for whom existing treatments - specifically one or more DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) or anti-TNFs (tumour necrosis factor-antagonists) - do not work.
Tocilizumab is in the process of being appraised for use on the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), so is not currently widely available on the NHS. Until NICE completes its appraisal and issues its final guidance, Tocilizumab can only be prescribed on the NHS at the discretion of each local health board or primary care trust. On 1 October 2009, NICE issued a consultation document as part of its appraisal recommending that Tocilizumab not be made available on the NHS because it is not cost effective.
Arthritis Care’s Director of Public Affairs, Rachel Haynes said: ‘There are a number of drugs currently available for people with RA but they don’t work for everyone who needs treatment, so new medications that could help treat more people with RA safely and effectively are always welcome.’
‘It will be awful news for those people with RA for whom there aren’t existing successful treatments, to hear that they may never get access to this new option on the NHS. We hope that by the end of this consultation and appraisal process, this treatment will be made available to the people who really need it. Having access to the widest range of available treatment options gives someone with RA the best chance of keeping this debilitating condition under control. Early diagnosis and referral for suitable treatment is essential as it can literally stop RA in its tracks.’
If you have a question about treatments for arthritis or would like to talk to someone about your arthritis, you can call the free Arthritis Care Helpline on 0808 800 4050: (10am-4pm) for confidential practical and emotional support. If you have RA and think this treatment may be of benefit to you, you should seek advice from your rheumatologist.
For more information
Read the full guidance on the NICE website.
Find out more about rheumatoid arthritis
See our factsheet on biologic drugs
