Golden rules for registrars
Medico-legal adviser Dr Jim Rodger offers some expert advice on how to excel as a GP registrar. Read more
News
NICE rules out abatacept for arthritis patients
26-Oct-07
The rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug abatacept is too expensive to be prescribed on the NHS, according to NICE.
In a draft single technology appraisal of the drug, released today, NICE said abatacept is as effective as the other cytokine inhibitor rituximab for RA, but costs twice as much.
Rituximab was recently approved for use with methotrexate in RA patients RA who fail to respond to other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
A NICE spokesperson said: ‘Whilst recognizing the severity of the disease, the committee concluded that based on this evidence, abatacept could not be considered good use of NHS resources.’
Chief executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society Ailsa Bosworth said: ‘To deny patients abatacept is to deny people with a very aggressive and severe form of RA one more chance at controlling the disease and condemn them to a life of pain and disability.’
rachel.liddle@haymarket.com
Comment below and tell us what you think
Quick search - use * for an abbreviated search, eg nico*
Tools
Healthcare Republic Forums
Hottest Topics
Registrar
Career paths - Working abroad in a rural practice
Dr Kingsley Poole describes the differences he experienced working at a remote practice in New Zeala... Read more
Professional development - Honing your presentation skills
Most people feel nervous facing an audience, but practice will make it easier, says Dr Kevin Brown. Read more
Latest Clinical Articles
Clinical Review - Malaria
Contributed by Dr Charlie Easmon specialist adviser in travel medicine and medical director at The N... Read more
Clinical Review - Renal colic
Contributed by Mr Ranan DasGupta, specialist registrar and Mr Jonathon Olsburgh, consultant urologic... Read more
Clinical Review - Stroke
By Dr Helen Hosker, GP and clinical commissioning lead for stroke, NHS Manchester, and Dr Pippa Tyrr... Read more
MIMS Product News
New drug - Xamiol
Leo Pharma has launched Xamiol gel, a combination of calcipotriol + betamethasone, for the treatment... Read more
New drug - Xarelto
Bayer HealthCare has launched Xarelto (rivaroxaban) for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in ... Read more
New drug - Torisel
Wyeth has launched Torisel (temsirolimus), a first-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma ... Read more
Jobs
Job of the Week
- Salaried General Practitioner(s) East Midlands
- Partner East of England
- Partner Yorkshire and Humberside
- Salaried GP North West England
- salaried GP/retainer North West England
- Medical Partnership in Ireland Republic of Ireland
- Part -Time Salaried GP Yorkshire and Humberside
- Full Time Salaried GP Yorkshire and Humberside
- Two Partners East of England
- Salaried GP's South East England
Comments
Only registered users may comment. Log in now or register for a free account.