Golimumab for treating non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

4.1 Section 7(6) of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Constitution and Functions) and the Health and Social Care Information Centre (Functions) Regulations 2013 requires clinical commissioning groups, NHS England and, with respect to their public health functions, local authorities to comply with the recommendations in this appraisal within 3 months of its date of publication. Because golimumab has been recommended through the fast track appraisal process, NHS England and commissioning groups have committed to providing funding to implement this guidance 30 days after publication.

4.2 The Welsh ministers have issued directions to the NHS in Wales on implementing NICE technology appraisal guidance. When a NICE technology appraisal recommends the use of a drug or treatment, or other technology, the NHS in Wales must usually provide funding and resources for it within 2 months of the first publication of the final appraisal determination.

4.3 When NICE recommends a treatment 'as an option', the NHS must make sure it is available within the period set out in the paragraphs above. This means that, if a patient has non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and the doctor responsible for their care thinks that golimumab is the right treatment, it should be available for use, in line with NICE's recommendations.

4.4 The Department of Health and Merck, Sharp & Dohme have agreed that golimumab will be available to the NHS with a patient access scheme which makes it available with a discount. This will make the 100-mg dose of golimumab available to the NHS at the same cost as the 50-mg dose. Any enquiries from NHS organisations about the patient access scheme should be directed to keiron.hughes@merck.com.