Resource impact statement

No significant resource impact is anticipated

NICE has recommended upadacitinib, with methotrexate for active rheumatoid arthritis in adults whose disease has responded inadequately to intensive therapy with 2 or more conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), only if:

  • disease is moderate (a disease activity score [DAS28] of 3.2 to 5.1)
  • the company provides upadacitinib according to the commercial arrangement

We do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on resources; that is, the resource impact of implementing the recommendations in England will be less than £5 million per year in England (or approximately £9,000 per 100,000 population, based on a population for England of 56.3 million people).

This is because the technology is a further treatment option and the overall cost of treatment will be similar.

A resource impact template is provided for completion at a local level. This is because there are now several treatment options (biological and non-biological therapies), including upadacitinib, that are recommended by NICE for moderate rheumatoid arthritis.

Upadacitinib has a discount that is commercial in confidence. For enquiries about the patient access scheme, contact pricing@abbvie.com for details.

Upadacitinib is commissioned by integrated care systems/clinical commissioning groups. Providers are NHS hospital trusts.

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