NICE releases draft guidance on Olumiant for rheumatoid arthritis

UK medicines cost-effectiveness watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has today published draft guidance recommending US pharma major Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) Olumiant (baricitinib) for some people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The draft guidance recommends baricitinib as an option for treating severe active RA in adults whose disease hasresponded inadequately to intensive therapy with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). It is also recommended in adults who have had an inadequate response to, or who cannot have other DMARDs, including at least one biological DMARD.

The NICE noted that Eli Lilly has agreed a patient access scheme that will reduce the cost of baricitinib to the National Health Service. The details of the scheme are commercial in confidence.