(2) what plans are in place to make anti-TNF drugs more widely available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The Department has not made any such assessment. In October 2007, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published final guidance on the anti-TNF drugs adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in which it gave a restrictive recommendation. NICE is currently undertaking an appraisal of the clinical and cost effectiveness of the sequential use of anti-TNF drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. NICE issued its final appraisal determination on 21 July 2008. Published NICE guidance is underpinned by a statutory three month funding direction.