Rheumatologists and patients welcome PBS listing of AbbVie’s inflammatory arthritis medicine

Pharma News: Australian adults battling a debilitating form of inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine and pelvis, are set to receive a much-needed lifeline. Starting from 1 August 2023, patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) will gain access to AbbVie’s JAK inhibitor, Rinvoq (upadacitinib), on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), marking a significant step in the fight against this chronic condition.

An estimated 30,000 Australians endure the daily challenges of nr-axSpA, with the initial signs of this autoimmune disease typically appearing between the ages of 15 and 40 years. The symptoms vary from person to person, but commonly include stiffness and pain in the back, buttocks, tendons, and ligaments, which often go untreated for many years.

Responding to this development, Professor Andrew Östör, a leading Rheumatologist at Melbourne Rheumatology, expressed his enthusiasm for the availability of an oral non-biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) for Australian patients.

“It’s important for me as a rheumatologist to have a range of medications to work with, because each patient has unique needs and responds differently to medicines. Having another treatment option available on the PBS for nr-axSpA is good news for patients and doctors. My ultimate goal is to help people with nr-axSpA to lead normal, functional lives, with the best outcomes achieved with early diagnosis and management including medication, exercise, diet and nutrition.”

One of the most challenging aspects of nr-axSpA is the slow progression of bone growth within the spine’s joints, causing inflammation, which often does not show up on conventional x-rays. This makes formal diagnosis challenging and can take an average of five to seven years, involving numerous visits to different healthcare professionals before identification.

Jonathan Smithers, CEO of Arthritis Australia, expressed concern over the subtle, creeping symptoms of the condition, which often lead individuals to ignore the increasing impact on their lives, attributing pain and stiffness to other causes.

“If people are experiencing unresolved pain in the spine and pelvis, it’s important they speak to a doctor. With the right diagnosis and support, patients have a much better chance of managing the impact of this type of arthritis on their daily lives and avoiding long-term complications,” he urged.

Nathalie McNeil, General Manager of AbbVie Australia, shared her excitement about the PBS listing, emphasising the company’s commitment to improving outcomes for patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases.

“We are proud to be able to provide a new treatment option to help patients live with this painful condition, which can come with many other health issues, and create a cycle of pain and poor quality of life,” she said.

Long-term comorbidities associated with nr-axSpA, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, depression, anxiety, and inflammatory bowel disease, further highlight the urgency of providing effective treatment options.

Rinvoq is already listed on the PBS for other severe conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and ulcerative colitis.

AbbVie is counting on its next-gen immunology drugs Rinvoq and Skyrizi (psoriasis therapy) to hold the line for its Humira patent loss.

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