It’s also recommended as a possible treatment for children or young people aged 6-17 years with severe ulcerative colitis, if conventional therapy hasn’t worked or isn’t suitable.
What does this mean for you?
Who is eligible?
If you are an adult with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and your doctor thinks that infliximab, adalimumab or golimumab is the right treatment, you should be able to have the treatment on the NHS.
If you are a child or young person with severe ulcerative colitis and your doctor thinks that infliximab is the right treatment, you should be able to have the treatment on the NHS.
When does this take effect and how is it reviewed?
Treatments should be available on the NHS within 3 months
The guidance states that people should be able to have the treatment for at least 12 months, unless it stops working well enough. Their condition should be assessed at least every 12 months. Their doctor should discuss with them the benefits and risks of continuing or stopping treatment. If treatment is stopped and the ulcerative colitis gets worse, people should be able to start treatment again.
Voices for change
This is very positive as it increases treatment options for people with UC and may not have happened without the voices of all those who registered their comments and experiences with NICE during the public consultation or those of the excellent patient experts who took part in the appraisal process. It shows that, together, we are powerful force for change.
Further information and support
If you would like to discuss your specific situation, you can call the Crohn’s and Colitis UK information line on 0845 130 2233 or email info@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk, between 9am-5pm.
