NICE reverses decision on Otezla in psoriatic arthritis

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a final appraisal determination (FAD) recommending the use of Otezla (apremilast), which is marketed by the local subsidiary of US biotech major Celgene (Nasdaq: CELG).

The decision by the medicines cost effectiveness watchdog for England and Wales is for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis who have had an inadequate response to or have been unable to tolerate disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and is a reversal of a previous negative recommendation in this indication.

“Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that causes significant strain on NHS resources,” said Dr Helena Marzo-Ortega, Honorary Senior Lecturer and Consultant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, adding: “Addressing the symptoms of both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the availability of Otezla on the NHS marks a major milestone in the management of psoriatic arthritis.”