Abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

24 June 2011

The British Society for Rheumatology is disappointed with the NICE decision to not recommend abatacept in combination with methotrexate for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults whose disease has responded inadequately to one or more conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

Dr Ian Rowe, Chair of Clinical Affairs Committee said: “We are disappointed with the decision to not recommend the use of abatacept in this clinical context for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This restricts the number of treatment options available for patients with rheumatoid arthritis after failure of conventional therapy. We hope that this recommendation will be reviewed in the near future and that NICE will respond positively to the appraisals for the use of this medicine in this situation so that patients with rheumatoid arthritis can also get the benefits that this medicine might give them."