Patient access scheme secures NICE approval for Cimzia
pharmafile | January 22, 2010 | News story | Sales and Marketing | Cimzia, NICE, UCB, rheumatoid arthritis
UCB Pharma’s Cimzia has been recommended by NICE to treat rheumatoid arthritis – but only if a patient access scheme is implemented.
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) can be used on the NHS for adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and UCB will make the drug available to all patients who are prescribed it free of charge for the first 12 weeks.
It is an attractive arrangement for the NHS, which will not pay for patients’ treatment during that period, whether they respond to the drug or not.
RA is a chronic disease causing inflamed joints which lead to pain and disability, and can result in irreversible damage.
Studies show that Cimzia, which comes in a pre-filled syringe, has had positive results as early as the first week of treatment, with most patients responding in the first three months.
The access deal was thrashed out by the manufacturer with the Department of Health and should mean that treatment decisions are based on need, not cost.
The brand is indicated for moderate to severe, active RA in adults, in combination with gold standard methotrexate (MTX) when disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including MTX, have not worked.
The combination with MTX has shown symptom reduction for up to two years, although Cimzia can also be given as monotherapy where MTX is not tolerated.
“This is the first time a new NICE-recommended RA treatment has been made available in over two years,” said National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society chief executive Ailsa Bosworth. “[Cimzia] could make a big difference to patients’ day to day lives.”
“[Cimzia] is an important new treatment option for people with RA, and it’s exciting that it is now available on the NHS,” added Peter Taylor, Professor in Experimental Rheumatology at Imperial College London NHS Trust.
In trials, in addition to rapid improvement in symptoms, the drug has significantly reduced the rate of progression of joint damage associated with RA.
“This fast and lasting effect is important as it quickly improves function, reduces work disability and leads to a better quality of life for patients,” he concluded.
Around 580,000 adults in England, mainly aged between 30 and 50, have the condition, which is more likely to affect women.
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