Tyenne /Tocilizumab

[Devoid]

Hi just to say I be just received a letter to say I’m changing from actemra to this brand. Hopefully a lower price will make it an option for more people.

[SheffieldJane]

Yes, that would be good.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are now 3 tocilizumab biosimilars on the market and approved. Can't find any indication of prices though.

At the beginning of last year there were 7 biosimilar alternatives to Humira which had been a similar price to Actemra. The first was launched about 6 years ago. My rheumy told me soon after that the price of Humira had fallen to 600 euros a year! AbbVie had attempted to develop a PMR drug using Humira with an add-on (to extend the patent I suspect) but it scored a resounding fail as the pred side effects were WORSE and the clinical trial was abandoned.

If I can have a drug that works for 600 euros a year - I'd happily pay for that myself!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Prices? - nor me on usual NHS site.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

One article said the price wouldn't be released until just before launch. Obviously if has been - if it has been offered to patients!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Sure most would as well….

[nallufl24]

I find this very interesting. I looked up Tyene on the internet since I’ve never heard of it before. It was approved by our (US) FDA on Marc 7, 2024. I couldn’t find anything about price or side effects. I don’t know where Devoid is from but I don’t believe it is being used here yet. Please let us know how it works for you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to nallufl24]

Devoid is in UK…..

[nallufl24 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. I’m still very interested

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to nallufl24]

Sure Devoid will let everyone know how things go… it’s not yet listed on the NHS drugs tariff which is a bit odd considering letters are going out to patients saying it will be prescribed.. there is other paperwork relating to it though…

[Devoid in reply to nallufl24]

Hi I’m in the uk, the letter to inform me of the change has come from the hospital pharmacist, by what I can gather it should be the same as the Ro actemera that I’ve been on for a number of years on and off

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Devoid]

It should be very similar - but all biosimilars have subtle differences.

[Frewen1 in reply to PMRpro]

I’ve been put on leflunomide after a flare and was turned down ( obv) for a 2nd year of Tocilizumab… should I be asking to discuss one of those “biosimilars” ? Not heard of them before…

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Frewen1]

As they are "biosimilar" I'm guessing [could be wrong, hope I am] that NHS/NICE will apply the same criteria they do to TCZ - i.e. only trialled for a year in GCA, so only prescribed for that period ... even if the costs area lot less...

[Frewen1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Ok thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Frewen1]

No idea - this is all new to us too.

[Rugger]

Thank you for alerting us to this. I'll have to hear what my Rheumatologist has to say! 🤞