2 September 2015 - In final draft updated guidance published today, NICE confirms its recommendations for treatment options for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The draft guidance recommends adalimumab (Humira, AbbVie), etanercept (Enbrel, Pfizer), infliximab (Remicade, Merck Sharp & Dohme; Inflectra, Hospira UK; Remsima, Napp Pharmaceuticals), certolizumab pegol (Cimzia, UCB Pharma), golimumab (Simponi, Merck Sharp & Dohme), tocilizumab (RoActemra, Roche) and abatacept (Orencia, Bristol-Myers Squibb), each in combination with methotrexate, as options for treating severe rheumatoid arthritis where disease has not responded to intensive therapy with a combination of conventional DMARDs.

In the case of certolizumab pegol, golimumab, abatacept and tocilizumab the recommendation is subject to the companies providing them with the discount agreed in their patient access schemes.

The draft guidance states that treatment should be started with the least expensive drug (taking into account administration costs, dose needed and product price per dose).

Adalimumab, etanercept, certolizumab pegol or tocilizumab are also recommended as monotherapy for people who cannot take methotrexate.

For more details, go to: http://www.nice.org.uk/news/press-and-media/nice-issues-draft-guidance-recommending-drugs-for-rheumatoid-arthritis