makeitgoaway
07-27-2006, 12:31 PM
UK watchdog backs psoriasis drugs Enbrel, Raptiva
Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:01 PM ET
LONDON, July 26 (Reuters) - Britain's cost-effectiveness watchdog NICE has backed the use of biotech drugs Enbrel and Raptiva as adult treatments for severe psoriasis, drug companies said on Wednesday.
Enbrel, which is sold by Wyeth <WYE.N> outside North America, is already an established treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Raptiva, which is marketed in Europe by Serono <SEO.VX>, was developed primarily for psoriasis.
The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is responsible for deciding which medicines should be paid for on the state National Health Service (NHS).
Its decisions are therefore pivotal in determining if licensed drugs are actually prescribed by doctors. Decisions by NICE are also monitored by other healthcare authorities in Europe.
In addition, NICE gave its backing for the NHS to use Enbrel and Remicade to treat patients with the related condition of severe, active psoriatic arthritis. Remicade is sold in Europe by Schering-Plough <SGP.N>.
Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:01 PM ET
LONDON, July 26 (Reuters) - Britain's cost-effectiveness watchdog NICE has backed the use of biotech drugs Enbrel and Raptiva as adult treatments for severe psoriasis, drug companies said on Wednesday.
Enbrel, which is sold by Wyeth <WYE.N> outside North America, is already an established treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Raptiva, which is marketed in Europe by Serono <SEO.VX>, was developed primarily for psoriasis.
The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is responsible for deciding which medicines should be paid for on the state National Health Service (NHS).
Its decisions are therefore pivotal in determining if licensed drugs are actually prescribed by doctors. Decisions by NICE are also monitored by other healthcare authorities in Europe.
In addition, NICE gave its backing for the NHS to use Enbrel and Remicade to treat patients with the related condition of severe, active psoriatic arthritis. Remicade is sold in Europe by Schering-Plough <SGP.N>.