NICE publishes final draft guidance on treatment of patients with JIA

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has issued final draft guidance that recommends four therapies for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the United Kingdom.

The guidance recommends the use of Orencia (abatacept, Bristol-Myers Squibb), Humira (adalimumab, AbbVie), Enbrel (etanercept, Pfizer) and RoActemra (tocilizumab, Roche) as options for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

“Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a progressive degenerative condition that not only affects the quality of life of the child or young person with the disease, but can also affect the quality of life of their [caregivers] and family,” Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director Carole Longson, PhD, said in a press release. “The committee heard there is a link between the length of time the disease remains uncontrolled and the amount of joint damage and growth impairment. They also heard that being able to access effective treatments at an early stage of the disease can help improve long-term outcomes. We are therefore pleased to be able to recommend these drugs as options for children and young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in [the] draft guidance.”

The four biological medications are licensed for use in the United Kingdom for patients with JIA who have an inadequate response to treatment with conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The guidance states that the least expensive treatment, including the costs of administration, should be initiated when more than one suitable drug is available.

The draft guidance can be appealed by consultees who are currently reviewing the details.

Reference : https://www.nice.org.uk.