UCB has announced that the new certolizumab pegol (Cimzia®) AutoClicks® Prefilled Pen is now available on the NHS following the positive opinion by the European Medicine’s Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).1
The EMA’s CHMP decision recommended the use of Cimzia®AutoClicks® Prefilled Pen in all approved indications (rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)).2 The positive opinion was based on validated data and risk benefit analysis for the AutoClicks®Prefilled Pen1
UCB continued its partnership with OXO, a company known for thoughtful, consumer-friendly designs, to develop the AutoClicks®Prefilled Pen, based on core technology licensed from Bespak. The AutoClicks®Prefilled Pen provides a button-free delivery system and a wide non-slip grip that keeps patient hand disability in mind. It has a large viewing window that shows the progress of the injection and shows that they have administered it correctly with two clicks which indicate when the injection has started and when it has finished, giving patients the confidence to know they have received their full dose of certolizumab pegol.3
Dr Ravik Mascarenhas, Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal Devon & Exeter Foundation Trust said, “I see many patients whose joints have been destroyed by this painful disease so having a new choice is welcomed. Like most of us they also tend to find it a challenge self-injecting because of a needle – with this new pre-filled pen the patient doesn’t even see the needle which may take some of the nerves and fear away.”
In the UK the monthly cost to the NHS for treating a patient using the certolizumab pegol AutoClicks® Prefilled Pen is £715 (2 treatments doses of 200mg).2
Ailsa Bosworth, Chief Executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, who was diagnosed with RA 30 years ago said: “It is difficult for people who do not suffer from this disease to understand just how challenging doing the ordinary things in daily life can be, more so for those with painful and swollen joints. Trying to grip an everyday object such as a kitchen gadget can cause immense pain. So we welcome any innovation that can help make the lives of RA patients more comfortable while they manage their condition.”
References
1. EMA CHMP UCB Data on File
2. UCB Data on File – Prescribing Information
3. UCB Data on File Comparative Usability Study
