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22/08/2007
Arthritis Sufferers Win Right To Free Treatment
Many patients who suffer from severe arthritis have been given new hope after winning the right to free treatment with a "smart drug".
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has approved the drug MabThera for prescription in England and Wales.
The decision comes just weeks after it rejected free prescriptions of another effective treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
MabThera is a cost-effective treatment for patients severely affected by the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and sometimes crippling disease which occurs when the immune system attacks the joints, causing swelling and damage of cartilage and bone.
It affects as many as 400,000 people in Britain and is estimated to cost taxpayers up to £1.2billion a year in healthcare and lost working day costs.
Neil Betteridge, Chief Executive of patient charity Arthritis Care who has had the disease since the age of three, said: "It's a triumph. The search for effective treatment can be a long, agonising journey, littered with dashed hopes. Now there is no excuse for denying this drug on any but clinical grounds.
"Nice has shown that it understands the benefit of expanding the range of choices for individuals who have exhausted other options, and would otherwise face the bleak prospect of palliative care, and a return to drugs that have already failed them."
MabThera, the brand name of the drug rituximab, made by Roche, is a synthetic antibody that selectively targets one of the key immune system cells involved in rheumatoid arthritis.
(CD/SP)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has approved the drug MabThera for prescription in England and Wales.
The decision comes just weeks after it rejected free prescriptions of another effective treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
MabThera is a cost-effective treatment for patients severely affected by the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and sometimes crippling disease which occurs when the immune system attacks the joints, causing swelling and damage of cartilage and bone.
It affects as many as 400,000 people in Britain and is estimated to cost taxpayers up to £1.2billion a year in healthcare and lost working day costs.
Neil Betteridge, Chief Executive of patient charity Arthritis Care who has had the disease since the age of three, said: "It's a triumph. The search for effective treatment can be a long, agonising journey, littered with dashed hopes. Now there is no excuse for denying this drug on any but clinical grounds.
"Nice has shown that it understands the benefit of expanding the range of choices for individuals who have exhausted other options, and would otherwise face the bleak prospect of palliative care, and a return to drugs that have already failed them."
MabThera, the brand name of the drug rituximab, made by Roche, is a synthetic antibody that selectively targets one of the key immune system cells involved in rheumatoid arthritis.
(CD/SP)
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27 October 2008
Injection Offers New Hope For Arthritis Sufferers
A monthly injection could offer new hope to hundreds of thousands of arthritis sufferers, it has been revealed. An annual course of the antibody drug tocilizumab - which may be available on the NHS from as early as January - could stop the disease in its tracks, and could cost as little as £4,000.
Injection Offers New Hope For Arthritis Sufferers
A monthly injection could offer new hope to hundreds of thousands of arthritis sufferers, it has been revealed. An annual course of the antibody drug tocilizumab - which may be available on the NHS from as early as January - could stop the disease in its tracks, and could cost as little as £4,000.
21 June 2006
Government announces funding for drug treatment services
Drug treatment services across the country will receive an extra £95.2 million this year, under new plans announced by the government. The Department of Health, supported by £22 million of funding from the Home Office, will provide Drug Action Teams with £394.6 million - an increase of over 30% from last year.
Government announces funding for drug treatment services
Drug treatment services across the country will receive an extra £95.2 million this year, under new plans announced by the government. The Department of Health, supported by £22 million of funding from the Home Office, will provide Drug Action Teams with £394.6 million - an increase of over 30% from last year.
09 July 2003
Rise in crack users sent for treatment
More crack users are being targeted in custody and referred to drug treatment services, a new report published by the Home Office claims. The 'Arrest Referral' report shows that between October 2001 and September 2002, 12,014 crack users were interviewed, and of those 8,656 were referred to specialist drug treatment services - 18.
Rise in crack users sent for treatment
More crack users are being targeted in custody and referred to drug treatment services, a new report published by the Home Office claims. The 'Arrest Referral' report shows that between October 2001 and September 2002, 12,014 crack users were interviewed, and of those 8,656 were referred to specialist drug treatment services - 18.
16 April 2004
'Inadequacies' leave arthritis patients in pain, says survey
Major inadequacies in the management of pain resulting from arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems are causing unnecessary pain to thousands of patients across Europe, according to research published today.
'Inadequacies' leave arthritis patients in pain, says survey
Major inadequacies in the management of pain resulting from arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems are causing unnecessary pain to thousands of patients across Europe, according to research published today.
15 December 2010
Smoking Behind Severe Arthritis Cases
Smoking accounts for more than a third of cases of the most severe and common form of rheumatoid arthritis, indicates new research. The research, published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, says smoking accounts for more than half of cases in people who are genetically susceptible to development of the disease.
Smoking Behind Severe Arthritis Cases
Smoking accounts for more than a third of cases of the most severe and common form of rheumatoid arthritis, indicates new research. The research, published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, says smoking accounts for more than half of cases in people who are genetically susceptible to development of the disease.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Some low cloud lingering in the north and west through the day, although cloud should burn back to the coast as the day goes on. Elsewhere some good sunny spells with very little cloud. Warm with light winds. Maximum temperature 22 °C.Tonight:A sunny evening for most except where cloud lingers along the north coast. Cloud will increase for a lot of areas overnight with mist and fog patches developing. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
