Tocilizumab

Not Applicable

01/07/2022 Biologics and Janus kinase inhibitors after conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs for treating rheumatoid arthritis

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:

• Baricitinib 2 mg and 4 mg tablets for treating adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis;

• Tofacitinib 5 mg tablet for treating adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis; and

• Rituximab biosimilar (Truxima) 500 mg concentrate for infusion for treating adults with severely active rheumatoid arthritis

in line with their registered indications.

Subsidy status

[R] Baricitinib 2 mg and 4 mg tablets and tofacitinib 5 mg tablets are recommended for inclusion on the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) for the abovementioned indication.

[R] Baricitinib and tofacitinib should be used in line with the clinical criteria in the MAF checklist for initial and continuing prescriptions for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

[R] Rituximab biosimilar (Truxima) 500 mg concentrate for infusion is recommended for inclusion on the MOH Standard Drug List (SDL) for the abovementioned indication.

[NR] SDL subsidy and MAF assistance does not apply to any formulations or strengths of tocilizumab, rituximab reference biologic (MabThera) or other rituximab biosimilars (such as Rixathon).

Legend

This section displays recommendation from the MOH Drug Advisory Committee for subsidy and appropriate use of the drug as extracted from the Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE) Drug Guidances. As this website is updated monthly, please refer to the ACE website for the most updated information.

Note:

General availability information reflected is based on the Public Healthcare Institutions’ (PHI) formulary on what is commonly used for treating their patient population and may or may not be available for patients not under the care of that institution. It does not reflect the PHI’s actual inventory availability and is subjected to change. Please consult the Public Hospitals or Polyclinics for details on availability and supply restrictions/considerations. General availability is not tied to any brand unless otherwise stated.

Users are to consult the respective PHIs for actual inventory availability and supply restrictions/consideration