Rheumatoid arthritis: how to benefit from innovative medicines

Today there are innovative treatments, biotherapy, particularly effective against rheumatoid arthritis. But these drugs are so expensive they are prescribed only in specialized centers. The current problem is that access to these exceptional molecules. How to do to increase his chances of benefit when you have rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis and biotherapy

Today, when suffering from rheumatoid arthritis the main problem is access to new medicines, that is to say, biotherapy, called Remicade ®, Enbrel ®, Humira ®, Rituximab ®, etc.. Indeed, in recent years, new treatments from basic research have been developed to selectively a particular biological function involved in the mechanism of the disease block. These biologics have two major characteristics.

Biotherapies have a considerable efficiency ...

Their activity is so focused that they have a considerable effectiveness. They can not only relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, but also prevent disability and even continue working.

... and an equally hefty price

But they are also very expensive, on the order of 12,000 to 15,000 euros per year. In addition, these molecules have a suspensive effect and not curative, that is to say that everything is okay as a person with rheumatoid arthritis continues processing. However, the progression of the disease as soon as it takes off. Treatment should be continued over the long term, which eventually generate incredible amounts.

Rheumatoid arthritis: an exception to drug delivery exception

Because of the high cost, the conditions for issuing these biologics are restrictive. They are initially in the hospital or in some private organizations involved in public service delivered. However, people who have access are becoming more numerous. In fact, we realize that the sooner you treat the disease, fewer disabilities, work stoppages, surgeries and hospitalizations. So in economic terms, it is ultimately profitable to prescribe broadly.

How to go about benefit biotherapy against rheumatoid arthritis?

1) Check once or twice a year a rheumatologist practicing in rheumatology specialist hospital setting to see if you can benefit from these drugs at the right time.

2) Find a rheumatologist particularly involved in rheumatoid arthritis. There are no "good" or "bad" rheumatologist, but some are more interested in rheumatoid disease than others. A simple way to know if a team involved in this support is consulted is to inform the medical literature of this team. To do this, simply open the website PubMed (THE reference in the field) and type: "rheumatoid arthritis, name" (name of a team of doctors). If you find many articles (in English), you can be sure that this team is really working on your health and it keeps abreast of the latest discoveries.

Posted in: Arthritis, Diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis