After considering the feedback from consultation, the Appraisal Committee has prepared a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) on Abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis only after the failure of conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and submitted it to the Institute.

The FAD has been sent to the formal consultees for this appraisal who have 15 working days to consider whether they wish to appeal against it. Subject to any appeal by consultees, the FAD may be used as the basis for the Institute's guidance on the use of the appraised technology in the NHS in England and Wales.

Please note that the appeal period for this appraisal will close at 5pm on 7 July 2011.