Merck & Co debuts Simponi in the UK for RA, PsA and AS

US drug giant Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK), through its subsidiary MSD, yesterday announced the UK availability of Simponi (golimumab), the first once-monthly, self-administered, subcutaneous anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha), licensed for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in combination with methotrexate, active and progressive psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and severe, active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

The UK’s drugs rationing watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), in its recent Final Appraisal Determination said that golimumab is recommended as an option for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in eligible adults. Use of golimumab is recommended only if it is used in the same way as other anti-TNFs, in accordance with NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance 130 and 195, and if MSD provides the 100mg dose at the same cost as the 50mg dose. The recommendation in this FAD is expected to be published as NICE final guidance in June of this year.

In March, the NICE also recommended golimumab as an option for the treatment of active and progressive PsA in adults and final guidance (Technology Appraisal Guidance, TAG) was issued last month (The Pharma Letter March 18). The National Health Service must usually provide funding for golimumab within three months of the guidance being published.