The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care. 'Evidence summaries: new medicines' (ESNMs), are considered if a NICE technology appraisal (TA) is not planned or in progress, or unless the technology appraisal programme will not publish an appraisal consultation document (ACD) within 6 months of the medicine's launch. A NICE technology appraisal not considered appropriate for certolizumab pegol for psoriatic arthritis.
Certolizumab pegol also known by its brand name Cimzia is a anti-TNF biologic drug and is in the same class as adalimumab (Humira) etanercept (Enbrel), golimumab (Simponi) and infliximab (Remicade).
A TNF (tumour necrosis factor) alpha inhibitor neutralises human TNF alpha activity and reduces production the inflammatory cells, which cause psoriatic arthritis.
The drug is an injection, which is, self-administered under the skin (subcutaneous) every 2 or 4 weeks in adults with active and progressive psoriatic arthritis. To qualify for the treatment, the person has peripheral arthritis with 3 or more tender joints and 3 or more swollen joints, and the psoriatic arthritis has not responded to adequate trials of at least 2 standard DMARDs (such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, azathioprine and ciclosporin), given on their own or together.
Full guidance is available from the NICE website