Ustekinumab is a biologic medicine used to treat moderate to severely active Crohn’s Disease and moderate to severely active Ulcerative Colitis in adults. It can be an option when other treatments including steroids, immunosuppressants or other biologic medicines haven’t been effective, have stopped working or have side effects that are difficult to manage.
After an initial dose of Ustekinumab, you will receive a maintenance dose every 12 weeks. According to NICE guidelines, if your symptoms return before 12 weeks, you are entitled to have regular doses every eight weeks, if your IBD team thinks it’s right for you. Integrated Care Boards (ICB) are the statutory NHS organisations responsible for funding healthcare services in your local area and will decide whether to approve the funding for these eight week doses.
To support your funding request, we have written a letter that you can send alongside your own personal letter and supporting evidence from your IBD team to your ICB. We will continue to work with clinicians and the British Society of Gastroenterology to understand the solutions to this issue.
If you have been denied funding for biologic treatments, despite recommendations made by your IBD team, let us know at policy@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk.
Ustekinumab Supporting Letter
