Tocilizumab is recommended for the treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children and young people aged 2 years and older whose disease has responded inadequately to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), systemic corticosteroids and methotrexate if the manufacturers make tocilizumab (branded or biosimilars) available with the discount agreed as part of the patient access scheme.
Tocilizumab is not recommended for the treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children and young people aged 2 years and older whose disease continues to respond to methotrexate or who have not been treated with methotrexate.
Children and young people currently receiving tocilizumab for the treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis who do not meet the criteria in section 1.1 should have the option to continue treatment until it is considered appropriate to stop. This decision should be made jointly by the clinicians, and the child or young person and/or their parents or carers.