Inequality of access to advanced therapies for patients with inflammatory arthritis: a postcode lottery?

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Advanced therapies (AT), including biologics, biosimilars and Janus kinase inhibitors, have dramatically improved the quality of life of patients with RA, PsA and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Evidence-based criteria for prescribing these drugs in England and Wales is formulated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) through health technology appraisals and guidelines, with the aim of providing equitable access to AT for patients with severe or resistant disease. Similar bodies exist in some, but not all European countries, with disparities in AT access between countries for RA. We examined whether this disparity was mirrored in England for RA, PsA and axSpA despite the National Health Service in England and Wales being legally obliged to prov

SUBMITTER: Kaul A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8634385 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature