The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued final draft guidance recommending golimumab (Simponi, Merck Sharpe & Dohme) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
Additional information from the manufacturer, considered by the independent Appraisal Committee following a consultation on its earlier draft recommendation, suggests that golimumab may be added to the list of treatment options already recommended by NICE for this condition.
Specifically, golimumab is recommended as an option for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults if it is used as described for the other tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor treatments – etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab – covered by NICE technology appraisal 1991. The recommendation of golimumab for use within the NHS is also dependent on the patient access scheme agreed between the manufacturer and the Department of Health, whereby the manufacturer provides both of the available doses of golimumab (50 mg and 100 mg) to the NHS at the cost of the 50 mg dose.
Dr Carole Longson, Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director at NICE, said: “We already recommend three TNF inhibitor treatments for psoriatic arthritis that has not responded to first-line treatment. We’re glad that extra information from the manufacturer has meant that our Appraisal Committee now feels confident in recommending golimumab as a fourth treatment option. We recognise that patients may welcome the option of a self-injectable treatment that only has to be administered once a month.”
The final draft guidance is now with consultees, who have the opportunity to appeal against it. NICE has not yet issued final guidance to the NHS.
Source: NICE