No idea if this also applies in the UK but the start of cheaper GCA medication is here! And European - it is a Swiss company.
The patent for tocilizumab ran out recently - and this is the first drug to take advantage of that. A biosimilar is a biologic medical product that is almost an identical copy of an original product that is manufactured by a different company. Biosimilars are officially approved versions of original "innovator" products and can be manufactured when the original product's patent expires.
That's really encouraging to hear. Let's hope it marks the beginning of a new era of effective treatment that's more readily accessible to all those who could benefit from it. Sounds promising. Good things come to those who wait!... even if it has been a long time coming!!
Great news!!! I hope it helps many in the UK, and everywhere, who are now being taken off after a year. I've been on it 4 years now, plus 2mg pred, and I know my rheumy plans to keep me on it for some time. So glad and hope many more can get it~!💞
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Flying with Tocilizumab
experience with Tocilizumab
Tocilizumab was refused.
Tocilizumab and demyelination
