NICE has opened a public consultation on its interim guidance on vedolizumab for moderately to severely active Ulcerative Colitis. Its preliminary decision is that vedolizumab is recommended as a treatment option for moderately to severely active Ulcerative Colitis. However, it is not recommended for those who have previously been treated with anti-TNF drugs.
We welcome positive recommendation for vedolizumab for UC but say it's missing those most in need.
We very much welcome this early indication that there will an additional and promising new treatment option available for people with Ulcerative Colitis, for whom current options are very limited. This is an important and positive development. However, we are very disappointed that this may not be available to those who have not had a response to, or have lost response to treatment with a TNF-alpha inhibitor, such as infliximab or adalimumab.
For people in this situation, there may be no other options except surgery, with all the implications that this can bring.
I am extremely disappointed that this drug will not be available for people like me for whom anti-TNFs have not worked. I have been in remission for six years, after many years of trying lots of other treatments with no success and a tremendous toll on my body. My life has changed completely and I dread going back to the life I had to endure before.
We urge NICE to reconsider extending this treatment option to include those who are most in need.
We will be highlighting the consultation on our website www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk and encouraging members and supporters to register their views directly with NICE before the consultation deadline on 17th December.
For more information or comment please contact media@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk or call the Media Office at 01428 607627.
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