First once-monthly patient-administered anti-TNF therapy now reimbursed for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
Merck is pleased to announce that New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Alberta are the first provinces in Canada to reimburse SIMPONI(TM)(golimumab) for the treatment of three different rheumatic conditions. SIMPONI(TM), a subcutaneous anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, is now reimbursed by the drug formularies of these three provinces for people living with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, moderately to severely active psoriatic arthritis and active ankylosing spondylitis. All three rheumatic conditions are inflammatory and can cause debilitating pain and stiffness.
Now patients in Nova Scotia, Alberta and New Brunswick living with these severe arthritic conditions have access to a new treatment option, SIMPONI(TM), a once-monthly, patient-administered subcutaneous injection. SIMPONI(TM) is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, in combination with methotrexate (MTX); for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with moderately to severely active psoriatic arthritis, alone or in combination with MTX and for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapies.
"SIMPONI(TM) represents an advance as the first once-monthly patient-administered anti-TNF alpha therapy. Clinical evidence from the SIMPONI(TM) clinical trials GO-FORWARD, GO-AFTER, GO-BEFORE, GO-REVEAL and GO-RAISE demonstrated a sustained decrease in symptoms and marked improvement in physical function in these patients over time," explained Dr. Walter P. Maksymowych, Professor, University of Alberta, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology. "Having access to this new option will allow us to make optimal treatment choices to help bring relief to patients living with these severe rheumatic diseases."
Alberta, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick's decisions follow a positive recommendation for SIMPONI(TM) in March 2010 by the Common Drug Review (CDR), which conducts objective, rigorous reviews of the clinical and cost effectiveness of drugs, and provides formulary listing recommendations to the publicly-funded drug benefit plans in Canada (except Québec).
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