In response to NICE publishing final draft guidance confirming its recommended options for rheumatoid arthritis, Warwick Smith, Director General of the British Generic Manufacturers Association, said:
"We welcome NICE's Final Appraisal Determination which recommends biosimilar infliximab as an option for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis following a Multiple Technology Appraisal. NICE also recommends that treatment should be started with the least expensive medicine, which is likely to be the biosimilar. This opens the way for significant savings for the NHS and an increase in the number of patients who can be treated within existing budgets."