Upadacitinib for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis

2.1 Upadacitinib (Rinvoq, AbbVie) is indicated for 'the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response, lost response or were intolerant to either conventional therapy or a biological agent'.

2.2 The dosage schedule is available in the summary of product characteristics for upadacitinib.

2.3 The price per 28‑tablet pack is £805.56 for upadacitinib 15 mg and £1,281.54 for upadacitinib 30 mg (all prices excluding VAT; BNF online accessed October 2022). The estimated cost for 6 weeks of induction treatment (45 mg) is £3,131 based on list price (excluding VAT). The estimated cost of maintenance treatment is £10,472 at standard dose (15 mg) or £16,660 at high dose (30 mg) per person per year based on list price (excluding VAT).

2.4 The company has a commercial arrangement. This makes upadacitinib available to the NHS with a discount. The size of the discount is commercial in confidence. It is the company's responsibility to let relevant NHS organisations know details of the discount.