ACE Technology Guidances

ACE Technology Guidances communicate recommendations from the MOH Drug Advisory Committee or the MOH Medical Technology Advisory Committee on the funding status and appropriate use of drugs, vaccines or medical technologies that have been evaluated by ACE. The guidances also include the Committee’s rationale for the funding recommendations, and key clinical and economic evidence which informed their deliberations. Plain English Summaries (PES) to explain ACE Technology Guidances are available for patients and the public.

Published on 18 Jan 2021
Last Updated on 18 Jan 2021
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Guidance Recommendations
The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:
  • Rituximab biosimilar (Truxima) 100 mg/10 ml and 500 mg/50 ml concentrate for infusion for treating:
    • CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,
    • Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas,
    • Stage III-IV follicular lymphoma, or
    • CD20-positive chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
    in line with its registered indications; and

  • The removal of rituximab reference biologic 100 mg/10 ml and 500 mg/50 ml concentrate for infusion (MabThera) from the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) for all indications.

Subsidy status
Truxima 100 mg/10 ml and 500 mg/50 ml concentrate for infusion is recommended for inclusion in the MOH Standard Drug List (SDL) for the abovementioned indications from 18 January 2021. The MAF listing of MabThera will cease on 19 July 2021.

SDL subsidy does not apply to any other rituximab biosimilars (such as Rixathon), or to any formulations or strengths of MabThera.

Rituximab for treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (18 Jan 2021) Rituximab for treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia PES (18 Jan 2021) Biosimilar Clinician Fact Sheet (1 Mar 2018)