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Drug guidance
Biologics and Janus kinase inhibitors after conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs for treating rheumatoid arthritis
Musculoskeletal
Blood and Immune System
1 July 2022
Published on 18 Jan 2021
Last Updated on 01 Jul 2022
Guidance Recommendations
The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:
Baricitinib 2 mg and 4 mg tablets for treating adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis;
Tofacitinib 5 mg tablet for treating adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis; and
Rituximab biosimilar (Truxima) 500 mg concentrate for infusion for treating adults with severely active rheumatoid arthritis
in line with their registered indications.
Subsidy status
Baricitinib 2 mg and 4 mg tablets and tofacitinib 5 mg tablets are recommended for inclusion on the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) for the abovementioned indication.
Baricitinib and tofacitinib should be used in line with the clinical criteria in the MAF checklist for initial and continuing prescriptions for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rituximab biosimilar (Truxima) 500 mg concentrate for infusion is recommended for inclusion on the MOH Standard Drug List (SDL) for the abovementioned indication.
SDL subsidy and MAF assistance does not apply to any formulations or strengths of tocilizumab, rituximab reference biologic (MabThera) or other rituximab biosimilars (such as Rixathon).