Abbott, Schering-Plough and Wyeth NICE appeal ‘partially upheld’

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has reported its dismissal of individual appeals from Abbott Laboratories, Schering-Plough and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, in addition to the Royal College of Nursing, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance, and the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society regarding treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.

However, the panel has partially upheld a component of the appeals, deciding that the appraisal committee of the institute should reassess the potential use of a second anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) treatment when a patient does not respond to a first TNF-therapy.

NICE is currently evaluating the use of adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab as treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and published its final appraisal determination in November 2006 – before the receipt of the aforementioned appeals which were discussed by the appeal panel at the start of April this year.

“As a result of the appeal panel decision the appraisal will be returned to the committee for reconsideration,” the institute reports.

It adds that the calendar for future work from the institute will be published as soon as details are confirmed.

In November 2007, health secretary Patricia Hewitt announced the referral of a number of treatments to NICE for assessment, including drugs for breast cancer, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.