Pfizer applauds EULAR recommendation of JAK inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis

Pfizer has released a statement that applauds the latest recommendation by the European League Against Rheumatism for the use of targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, such as tofacitinib, as second-line therapy.

“Pfizer is proud that Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) is included in one of the drug categories recommended in the [European League Against Rheumatism] EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs 2016 update,” the statement read. “This update continues to demonstrate that oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are an important additional option in helping [rheumatoid arthritis] RA patients manage this chronic disease.”

In the recommendation, the release noted, targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (tsDMARDs) were recommended as second-line therapy to conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) when there are poor prognostic factors. In addition, the recommendations noted tsDMARDs can be combined with csDMARDs or used as monotherapy in patients who are intolerant to or did not respond to csDMARDs.

“Pfizer is pleased to see tsDMARDs recommended as second-line therapy, which is consistent with the current labelling where tofacitinib is approved,” the statement read. “The recommendations provide an additional guidance to physicians to facilitate treatment decisions for patients with RA.” – by Will Offit

Reference: