JointHealth™ express January 30, 2014
Health Canada approves new inflammatory arthritis medications
With two new medications approved by Health Canada this month, the New Year is looking promising for people who live with certain forms of inflammatory arthritis.
So far in 2014, Health Canada has issued Notices of Compliance (NOCs) for certolizumab pegol (Cimzia®) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (January 2) and for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (January 15), and ustekinumab (Stelara®) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (January 21).
Ustekinumab has previously been approved by Health Canada and is covered by most provincial formularies for the treatment of psoriasis. The medication is a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23. For moderately to severely active psoriatic arthritis in adults, it can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate.
Certolizumab pegol is an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) medication, taken by subcutaneous injection every two weeks. It is covered by most provincial formularies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Health Canada's approval of the medication now includes the following:
This is great news for Canadians living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Each individual’s response to the available medications is different, and many do not respond well enough or at all, so having more options is crucial.
To learn if these medications may be helpful to you, please speak to your rheumatologist or other healthcare provider helping you to manage your disease.
To view the Notices of Compliance, please click here and search for “Stelara” or “Cimzia”.
Health Canada approves new inflammatory arthritis medications
With two new medications approved by Health Canada this month, the New Year is looking promising for people who live with certain forms of inflammatory arthritis.
So far in 2014, Health Canada has issued Notices of Compliance (NOCs) for certolizumab pegol (Cimzia®) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (January 2) and for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (January 15), and ustekinumab (Stelara®) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (January 21).
Ustekinumab has previously been approved by Health Canada and is covered by most provincial formularies for the treatment of psoriasis. The medication is a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23. For moderately to severely active psoriatic arthritis in adults, it can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate.
Certolizumab pegol is an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) medication, taken by subcutaneous injection every two weeks. It is covered by most provincial formularies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Health Canada's approval of the medication now includes the following:
- Reducing the signs and symptoms of active ankylosing spondylitis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.
- To be used alone or in combination with methotrexate for reducing the signs and symptoms and inhibiting the progression of structural damage as assessed by X-ray, in adult patients with moderately to severely active psoriatic arthritis who have failed one or more disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
This is great news for Canadians living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Each individual’s response to the available medications is different, and many do not respond well enough or at all, so having more options is crucial.
To learn if these medications may be helpful to you, please speak to your rheumatologist or other healthcare provider helping you to manage your disease.
To view the Notices of Compliance, please click here and search for “Stelara” or “Cimzia”.
Arthritis Consumer Experts
ACE thanks Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) for its scientific review of ACE and JointHealth™ information and education programs.