NICE Recommends Golimumab for Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today issued final guidance recommending golimumab (Simponi) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Golimumab joins a list of treatment options already recommended by NICE for this condition.

The guidance recommends golimumab as an option for treating active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults if it is used as described for the other tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor treatments - etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab - covered by NICE technology appraisal 199(1). The recommendation of golimumab is also on the condition that the manufacturer provides the 100 mg dose of golimumab to the NHS at the cost of the 50 mg dose, as agreed by the manufacturer and the Department of Health as part of a patient access scheme.

Dr Carole Longson, Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director at NICE, said: "We're pleased to recommend golimumab as another option for treating psoriatic arthritis, a condition that can cause significant distress and psychological impact on an individual's life, employment and social activities. We recognise that patients may welcome the option of a self-injectable treatment administered once a month.

"We have already recommended three TNF inhibitor treatments for psoriatic arthritis that has not responded to first-line treatment, and golimumab is a welcome addition."

Source: NICE via Medical News Today