The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted golimumab (Simponi®) for use within NHS Scotland, in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy, including methotrexate.  Golimumab is restricted to use at a dose of 50 mg only and should be used in accordance with guidance from the British Society for Rheumatology on prescribing TNFα blockers in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (2005).

The Drug Advice notes that there are no studies directly comparing golimumab to other anti-TNF medications in the treatment of RA.  It discusses the data considered and notes that the economic case for golimumab within this indication was demonstrated for the 50mg dose (and not the 100mg dose). 

The SMC was unable to recommend the use of golimumab for the treatment of severe, active and progressive RA in adults not previously treated with methotrexate, as the company submission did not relate to this.  Please see the link below for details.