title: Nice limits treatment choice for rheumatoid arthritisNICE is being accused of taking away clinically effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis patients by ruling that they can no longer switch between anti-TNF drugs, a treatment option that clinicians argue provides great benefits in managing joint inflammation and pain, and enables patients to continue working. David Adam reports.
abstract: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued another unpopulardecision, this time for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. In mid-July the organisation ruled that patients taking one tumour necrosis factor TNF-α inhibitor cannot switch to another, as is currently the practice. The decision has bewildered clinicians and angered patients, and both groups have criticised the judgement, saying it will leave patients in needless pain and with restricted mobility.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adam