

Patients with established rheumatic disease, who are currently under the care of the department, who are taking high cost drugs, such as biologic agents, prescribed by the Trust consultant rheumatologists.
Your rheumatologist will have discussed this with you before starting the drug.
You would usually have to have failed at least two conventional agents (such as Methotrexate), and often you would be on two or more drugs already. You will have had very active disease despite your medication, as measured by disease activity scores agreed nationally by NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence). Your rheumatologist would have had to apply for funding for the high cost drug, and you will have been screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis as part of this process. You will have had an initial three month prescription, and the drug will only be continued if you respond according to nationally agreed criteria.
Ensure that you have:
You will not be contacted unless there is a problem. You should expect to receive a call from the Homecare provider to deliver your medication.