NICE Broadens Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The UK’s price watchdog has expanded eligibility for Cimzia in treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis.

A draft guidance from the National Institute for Health Care Excellence recommends coverage of the drug for patients who have failed to respond to prior treatment with TNF inhibitors, those unable to take disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and the drug rituximab.

The wider access to UCB Pharma’s Cimzia is expected to benefit around 580,000 rheumatoid arthritis patients.