Resource impact statement

No significant resource impact is anticipated

NICE has recommended tofacitinib as an option for treating active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (rheumatoid factor positive or negative polyarthritis and extended oligoarthritis), and juvenile psoriatic arthritis in people 2 years and older. This is if their condition has responded inadequately to previous treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and only if:

  • a tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitor is not suitable or does not control the condition well enough, and
  • the company provides tofacitinib according to the commercial arrangement.

Please see the guidance for further details.

We do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on resources; that is, the resource impact of implementing the recommendations in England will be less than £5 million per year in England (or approximately £9,000 per 100,000 population, based on a population for England of 56.3 million people).

This is because the technology is a further treatment option which is available at a similar price to current treatment options and the eligible population is small. Around 1,100 children and young people are expected to be eligible for treatment. Tofacitinib may be preferred by some patients because it is administered orally whereas current treatment options are administered subcutaneously or by intravenous infusion.

Tofacitinib has a discount that is commercial in confidence. It is the company’s responsibility to let relevant NHS organisations know details of the discount.

This technology is commissioned by NHS England. Providers are NHS hospital trusts.

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