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A recently published final appraisal document (FAD) from NICE recommends infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults who responded inadequately to conventional therapy (including corticosteroids, mercaptopurine and azathioprine). NICE also suggests these tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockers for patients who cannot tolerate, or have contraindications for, conventional therapies. The FAD also recommends infliximab for severely active UC in people aged six to 17 years who respond inadequately to, cannot tolerate, or have contraindications for conventional therapies. MSD, the manufacturer of infliximab, says that the FAD is the first time children with moderately to severely active UC have been granted access to these therapies in the UK.

“This is great news for our patients with UC. It is the first new class of drugs to be approved by NICE for UC and is a valuable tool in our armamentarium in the fight against UC. “Hopefully most patients will not require such drugs, but it is a great comfort to know that we can use them when we need to,” says Chris Probert, professor of gastroenterology at the University of Liverpool. “Pharmacists should encourage patients with UC who appear to be having repeated courses of steroids, and other indicators of poor control, to seek advice from the hospital specialist team,” Professor Probert told Pharmacy Magazine. “For some of these patients, anti-TNF therapies may be indicated.”