Crohn’s & Colitis UK are delighted with this recommendation which will apply to anyone with Ulcerative Colitis who has not found that conventional therapy or a type of treatment called TNF-alpha inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab or golimumab) either don’t work well, have stopped working or can’t be tolerated. It will be a welcome alternative to steroids and surgery. Vedolizumab works in a different way to other treatment options for ulcerative colitis - targeting the immune system in the gut rather than the whole body.
The draft guidance, called a Final Appraisal Determination, has changed in light of feedback from the public consultation. Previously, it did not enable people with UC who had received TNF-alpha inhibitors to be treated with vedolizumab. Crohn’s & Colitis UK and others made a strong case for this in our response and the contribution of our patient experts was extremely important.
Elizabeth Cleaver said:
“I am delighted that NICE have amended this guidance to include patients who have had anti TNF treatment before. I advocated strongly for this change, partly because I was one of the patients who would have missed out under the old draft guidelines. It was a privilege to be able to provide a voice for so many patients with UC. As patient experts, we were listened to and supported throughout the process and we are very grateful to NICE and to Crohn's and Colitis UK for this. There was such a desperate need for new treatment options for UC sufferers and I feel that as a group of patients we are now in a much better place.”
There is now an appeal period until 27th March. After this, final guidance will be produced. Treatments should be made available to patients within 3 months from publication of the final guidance - read the draft guidance
This applies specifically in England, although NICE guidance is often adopted in Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scottish Medicines Consortium are currently appraising vedolizumab, with its advice due on 11 May 2015. We have also responded to this consultation.
Helen Terry, Crohn’s & Colitis UK Director of Policy and Public Affairs said:
“We are delighted that NICE have taken on board the level of need for new treatments for Ulcerative Colitis and valued and responded so positively to patient input and evidence as part of their appraisal process. Treatment options for people with Ulcerative Colitis will change significantly for the better as a result of these two pieces of guidance. All those who have taken the time to feedback to us and to comment directly to NICE can feel justly proud of the outcome.”
Vedolizumab is also currently being appraised by NICE for Crohn’s Disease, with a decision on this expected in July 2015.
