Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of a TNF inhibitor
This is an extract from the guidance and may be misleading if read alone. The complete guidance is available at guidance.nice.org.uk/ta195
Important information about this guidance
This guidance replaces NICE technology appraisal guidance 126 and 141 issued in August 2007 and April 2008 respectively. It also replaces the remaining recommendations in NICE technology appraisal guidance 36 issued in March 2002.
The appraisal of adalimumab and the review of the appraisals of etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis have resulted in changes in the guidance. 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 Additional treatment options are now recommended for these adults if rituximab therapy is contraindicated or withdrawn because of an adverse event, specifically:
If rituximab is contraindicated or withdrawn, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and abatacept, each in combination with methotrexate, are now recommended as treatment options.
If rituximab therapy cannot be given because methotrexate is contraindicated or withdrawn because of an adverse event, adalimumab and etanercept, each as monotherapy, are now recommended as treatment options.
The price of abatacept has recently increased to £302.40 (excluding VAT) for a 250-mg vial. The manufacturer of abatacept has agreed a simple discount with the Department of Health as part of PPRS modulation with the result that the acquisition cost to the NHS remains the same as considered in the development of TA195 at £242.17 (excluding VAT) per 250-mg vial, until NICE next reviews the guidance on abatacept for this indication.
This change therefore does not affect the recommendations in TA195.
This guidance was developed using the NICE multiple technology appraisals process: www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/howwework/devnicetech/developing_nice_multiple_technology_appraisals.jsp