In a move described as a “triumph” by campaigners, a new generation of arthritis drug is set to become available on the NHS. The drug, MabThera, is aimed at patients with arthritis in its severe, rheumatoid form, and its availability follows approval given by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, under which terms it can be prescribed across England and Wales.

The news follows a previous NICE guidance, issued only a few days ago, in which it was recommended that funding should be withdrawn for the rheumatoid arthritis drug Orencia – an announcement labelled “devastating” by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. However, today’s statement opens up the doors for MabThera to be prescribed to English and Welsh patients, on whom alternative medications have proved ineffective.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 400,000 people in the United Kingdom. The agonising condition occurs when the joints come under attack from the body’s immune system, leading to swelling, and injuring surrounding bone and cartilage. Within England alone, its associated annual health care costs (also taking into account factors like days taken off work) potentially total £1.2 billion.

MabThera selectively targets one of the prime immune system cells that contributes to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. It is manufactured by Roche, and its generic name is rituximab.

MabThera will be prescribed chiefly to patients on the NHS, in whom no improvement has been recorded after taking the current generation of anti-TNF drugs. It will be prescribed alongside an alternative medication – methotraxate.

Describing the significance of NICE’s approval of MabThera, Neil Betteridge – the Chief Executive of Arthritis Care – stated: ”It's a triumph. The search for effective treatment can be a long, agonising journey, littered with dashed hopes. Now there is no excuse for denying this drug on any but clinical grounds."

Mr Betteridge’s sentiments were echoed by a spokeswoman from the Arthritis Research Campaign, who added: "NICE has been in the firing line a lot recently so it should be given credit for approving the use of rituximab. This gives patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis who fail on anti-TNF therapy a life-line by making available another treatment option"

It now falls down to NHS Trusts to ensure all patients suitable for MabThera receive it in the coming three months. The rheumatoid arthritis drug is already available on the Scottish NHS, following approval granted by NICE’s northern counterpart – the Scottish Medicines Consortium.

Source – Pharmaceutical International’s Health Reporter

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