About this guidance

NICE technology appraisal guidance is about the use of new and existing medicines and treatments in the NHS in England and Wales.

This guidance was developed using the NICE multiple technology appraisal process.

It 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 Additional treatment options are now recommended for these adults if rituximab therapy is contraindicated or withdrawn because of an adverse event, specifically:

  • If rituximab is contraindicated or withdrawn, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and abatacept, each in combination with methotrexate, are now recommended as treatment options.

  • If rituximab therapy cannot be given because methotrexate is contraindicated or withdrawn because of an adverse event, adalimumab and etanercept, each as monotherapy, are now recommended as treatment options.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.

We have produced a summary of this guidance for patients and carers. Tools to help you put the guidance into practice and information about the evidence it is based on are also available.

Your responsibility

This guidance represents the views of NICE and was arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. Healthcare professionals are expected to take it fully into account when exercising their clinical judgement. However, the guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer.

Implementation of this guidance is the responsibility of local commissioners and/or providers. Commissioners and providers are reminded that it is their responsibility to implement the guidance, in their local context, in light of their duties to avoid unlawful discrimination and to have regard to promoting equality of opportunity. Nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way which would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

Copyright

© National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 2010. All rights reserved. NICE copyright material can be downloaded for private research and study, and may be reproduced for educational and not-for-profit purposes. No reproduction by or for commercial organisations, or for commercial purposes, is allowed without the written permission of NICE.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)