Advice

following a full submission:

infliximab (Remicade®) is not recommended for use within NHS Scotland for maintenance treatment of fistulising, active Crohn's disease, in patients who have not responded despite a full and adequate course of therapy with conventional treatment (including antibiotics, drainage and immunosuppressive therapy). Infliximab was not approved by NICE in 2002 for patients with fistulating Crohn’s disease who do not have the other criteria for severe active Crohn’s disease.

Infliximab maintenance treatment, compared to placebo, was associated with a longer time to loss of fistula response in patients with fistulising Crohn’s disease. The manufacturer’s justification of the treatment cost in relation to its health benefits was not sufficient to gain acceptance by SMC.

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Medicine details

Medicine name:
infliximab 100mg powder for intravenous infusion (Remicade)
SMC ID:
364/07
Indication:
for the treatment of fistulising, active Crohn's disease.
Pharmaceutical company
Schering-Plough Ltd
BNF chapter
Gastro-intestinal system
Submission type
Full
Status
Superseded
Date advice published
06 May 2007