Breakthrough arthritis pill is approved for NHS
A DAILY pill that reverses rheumatoid arthritis in six in 10 of the worst sufferers has been approved by the Government drug watchdog.
Rinvoq was given the green light by regulator NICE last week for the estimated 30 per cent of RA patients who have severe disease.
Global trials showed it reversed or dramatically reduced symptoms in six in 10 of these cases.
The development brings new hope to people like Coronation Street and Strictly Come Dancing star Claire King who was diagnosed with RA.
James Coburn, the star of movies such as The Magnificent Seven speaking about the disease before his death at the ages of 74 said, it had: “Deformed my body and left my hand twisted. You start to turn to stone.
“There was so much pain that... every time I stood up I would break into sweat.”
Forty per cent of RA sufferers will experience symptoms beyond their joints and into other organs such as the eyes, lungs and heart. However, with the new drug a number of patients even went into remission – effectively curing them of the condition which affects 400,000 people in the UK.
It is now hoped the therapy may also be useful for patients with less severe forms of RA.
The drug – which can be used alone or in combination with standard drugs – works inside cells to block signals that cause inflammation caused by an overreaction of the immune system. This inflammation leads to pain, stiffness, loss of function and irreversible joint damage.
The chronic and progressive condition, which can affect adults of any age, can also lead to fatigue, deadly heart disease, lung disease and fractures.
Professor Chris Edwards, Consultant Rheumatologist and Honorary Chair of Clinical Rheumatology, University Hospital Southampton, said: “This drug looks very effective and the news of the approval is exciting and very welcome. This type of drug offers a completely new way of treating people who up to now we were not able to treat.
“The drug acts as if it is turning down the thermostat of a number of different inflammatory processes thereby blocking the signalling pathway that leads to the inflammation which causes the disease.
“These drugs can transform people’s lives helping to stop the devastating pain, fatigue and loss of function.”
He added: “When I started working in this field three decades ago remission was something we never considered for patients.
“Now we can aim for this or else aim to get very low disease activity which will not only give people back quality of life but also mean that we can prevent the disease leading to progressive joint and organ damage.”
Chief Executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society Clare Jacklin, said: “NRAS welcomes the news that upadacitinib has been approved for treating people living with severe RA.”
The recommendation by NICE is based on data from a rheumatoid arthritis trial programme involving nearly 4,400 patients over a cumulative total of 5,000 years of patient exposure.
‘The drugs can transform lives’