BRIEF — Taltz recommended for NHS use

Eli Lilly’s Taltz (ixekizumab) has been recommended for use within the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales for active psoriatic arthritis, after inadequate response to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

The final guidance on the treatment was issued by cost-effectiveness watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on Thursday, and comes after the European Medicines Agency approval in January, which was based on findings from a Phase III trial.

“Up to 30% of people with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis, a severe form of inflammatory arthritis that can cause swollen, stiff and painful joints.It can reduce physical function and lead to a reduction in quality of life so we are pleased that NICE is able to recommend this new treatment option,” said Arash Tahbaz, senior medical director at Eli Lilly, UK and Northern Europe.