rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatology · 2005–2025
64decisions
17medicines
16carried consumer input
26individual submissions
Every decision
| Medicine | Meeting | Outcome | Consumer input |
|---|---|---|---|
| etanercept General Schedule Authority Required and Section 100 (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Authority Required listings for severe psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing… | Jul 2025 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| infliximab Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease (adults and children 6-17 years), refractory Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, and… | Jul 2025 | Recommended with restriction | input received Colitis Australia |
| infliximab Biosimilar to reference infliximab for multiple indications: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease (adults and children/adolescents 6–17… | Mar 2025 | Recommended with restriction | input received Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy |
| infliximab Continuing treatment and balance of supply of infliximab 120 mg subcutaneous injection for ankylosing spondylitis, severe Crohn disease, severe chronic plaque… | Mar 2025 | Recommended with restriction | input received Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy |
| tocilizumab Tocilizumab biosimilar requested for listing under the same indications as the reference biologic Actemra, including active giant cell arteritis, systemic… | Nov 2025 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| adalimumab Biosimilar adalimumab for multiple indications including severe Crohn disease, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, severe active juvenile idiopathic… | Jul 2024 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| methotrexate (as sodium) New formulation of methotrexate sodium tablets (2.5 mg and 10 mg) for listing under the same circumstances as existing PBS-listed methotrexate tablets. | Jul 2024 | Recommended | none received |
| tofacitinib Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and severe psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults. The modified-release 11 mg once-daily tablet is requested… | Mar 2024 | Recommended with restriction | input received CreakyJoints Australia · Global Healthy Living Foundation Australia |
| adalimumab Biosimilar adalimumab for multiple indications including severe Crohn disease, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, severe active juvenile idiopathic… | Jul 2023 | Recommended with restriction | input received |
| upadacitinib Severe active rheumatoid arthritis (continuing treatment following adequate response to initial PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment). | Dec 2023 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| adalimumab; upadacitinib Change in restriction levels (Authority Required categories) for adalimumab across multiple indications (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis,… | Nov 2022 | Noted | 1 individuals |
| infliximab Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with loading doses of 120 mg subcutaneously at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, followed by maintenance every 2… | Nov 2022 | Recommended with restriction | input received |
| adalimumab Biosimilar to Humira for multiple indications including severe Crohn disease, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, severe active rheumatoid arthritis, severe… | Jul 2021 | Recommended with restriction | input received |
| etanercept Severe active rheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis, and severe active juvenile idiopathic… | Jul 2021 | Recommended | unclear |
| etanercept Biosimilar to Enbrel for severe active rheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis, and juvenile… | Nov 2021 | Recommended with restriction | unclear |
| adalimumab Biosimilar to Humira for multiple indications including severe Crohn disease, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, severe active juvenile idiopathic… | Mar 2020 | Recommended | input received Colitis Australia |
| etanercept Administrative request to change listing restrictions and authority level for etanercept biosimilar (Brenzys) to support biosimilar uptake in rheumatoid… | Dec 2020 | Not recommended | no section in document |
| adalimumab Multiple indications including severe Crohn disease, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis, complex refractory… | Nov 2020 | Recommended with restriction | input received Colitis Australia |
| infliximab Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, and severe refractory Crohn's disease in adult patients via… | Nov 2020 | Recommended with restriction | input received Colitis Australia |
| upadacitinib Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to, one or more disease-modifying… | Nov 2020 | Noted | none received |
| upadacitinib Severe active rheumatoid arthritis in patients with inadequate response to at least 6 months of intensive treatment with conventional disease-modifying… | Nov 2019 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| upadacitinib Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis in patients in whom an adequate response has not been achieved with at least 6 months of intensive treatment… | Nov 2019 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| adalimumab Biosimilar of adalimumab for all indications for which Humira is currently PBS listed, including severe active rheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriatic… | Jul 2018 | Recommended with restriction | 1 individuals |
| adalimumab Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — biosimilar listing for an indication for which the reference product Humira is currently PBS listed. | Jul 2018 | Recommended with restriction | 1 individuals |
| tocilizumab Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adult patients. This submission concerns a new auto-injector presentation intended to replace the… | Jul 2018 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| baricitinib Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have responded inadequately, or who are intolerant, to one or more DMARDs. | Mar 2018 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| etanercept Severe active rheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis, juvenile severe chronic plaque… | Mar 2018 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| etanercept Changes to the listing of etanercept (Brenzys brand) to support biosimilar uptake, including modifications to authority requirements and treatment cycle… | Nov 2018 | Deferred | none received |
| sarilumab Severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adults with inadequate response to conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs). | Nov 2018 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| etanercept Severe active rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, severe psoriatic arthritis, and severe chronic plaque psoriasis. | Aug 2017 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| auranofin A new capsule form of auranofin requested as a replacement for the currently listed tablet form due to supply shortage, for use in rheumatoid arthritis. | Jul 2017 | Recommended | none received |
| baricitinib Severe active rheumatoid arthritis in patients with inadequate response to at least 6 months of intensive DMARD treatment. | Jul 2017 | Deferred | 21 individuals Creaky Joints Australia |
| certolizumab pegol Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriatic arthritis, and active ankylosing spondylitis. | Mar 2017 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| baricitinib Treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). | Nov 2017 | Deferred | none received |
| infliximab Change to initial and continuing treatment restrictions for infliximab biosimilar, and application of biosimilar uptake measures for multiple indications… | Nov 2017 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| auranofin Increase in maximum quantity of auranofin 3 mg tablet pack from 60 to 100 tablets to address supply shortage. | Jul 2016 | Recommended | no section in document |
| etanercept Biosimilar etanercept for all indications for which etanercept (Enbrel) is currently PBS-listed: rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic… | Jul 2016 | Recommended with restriction | input received |
| certolizumab pegol Loading dose administration in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, severe psoriatic arthritis, and severe active rheumatoid arthritis to reduce patient… | Mar 2016 | Recommended | no section in document |
| tocilizumab Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients as a subcutaneous injection. | Mar 2016 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| infliximab Biosimilar infliximab for the same indications as Remicade: rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis,… | Nov 2016 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| infliximab Biosimilar to Remicade, indicated for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. | Jul 2015 | Recommended with restriction | 2 individuals |
| tofacitinib Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have failed intensive treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). | Mar 2015 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| abatacept Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis. | Nov 2015 | Recommended with restriction | none received |
| naproxen and esomeprazole Symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis in patients requiring an NSAID who are at increased risk of… | Jul 2013 | Not recommended | no section in document |
| tocilizumab Treatment of severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have failed to demonstrate a response to at least one TNF-alpha antagonist treatment, assessed… | Jul 2013 | Not recommended | no section in document |
| naproxen and esomeprazole Symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis in patients who require an NSAID and are at high risk of… | Mar 2012 | Not recommended | unclear |
| naproxen and esomeprazole Symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis in patients who require an NSAID and are at high risk of developing… | Nov 2012 | Not recommended | unclear |
| naproxen and esomeprazole Symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis in patients who require an NSAID and are at high risk of… | Nov 2012 | Not recommended | unclear |
| certolizumab pegol Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have failed methotrexate and other conventional DMARDs. | Mar 2010 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| golimumab Treatment of adult patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who meet certain criteria, in combination with methotrexate. | Mar 2010 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| tocilizumab First-line treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have failed to demonstrate a response to at least one TNF-alfa antagonist treatment. | Mar 2010 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| certolizumab pegol Severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have failed adequate response to methotrexate and other DMARDs, in combination with methotrexate or as… | Mar 2010 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| golimumab Treatment of adult patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)… | Mar 2010 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| tocilizumab Treatment of severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in combination with methotrexate in patients who have failed to demonstrate a response to at least one… | Jul 2009 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| abatacept, anakinra, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab Treatment of severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have failed to respond to non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). | Dec 2009 | Noted | no section in document |
| abatacept, anakinra, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab Treatment of severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have failed to respond to non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). | Dec 2009 | Noted | no section in document |
| tocilizumab Treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis as monotherapy in patients who have failed to demonstrate a response to TNF-alfa antagonist treatment. | Nov 2009 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| etanercept Extension to PBS listing for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to include patients with ≥10 tender and swollen joints or ≥2 major… | Jul 2008 | Not recommended | no section in document |
| infliximab Extension to allow dose escalation to 5 mg/kg in adult rheumatoid arthritis patients who have failed to respond to an initial 3 mg/kg dose (primary… | Jul 2008 | Recommended | no section in document |
| etanercept Extension of PBS listing for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to include patients with ≥10 tender and swollen joints or ≥2 major… | Jul 2008 | Not recommended | no section in document |
| rituximab Severe active rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have received prior treatment with a tumour necrosis factor antagonist (anti-TNF) and failed to achieve an… | Mar 2007 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| abatacept Treatment, in combination with methotrexate, of adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who have failed prior disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug… | Nov 2007 | Recommended with restriction | no section in document |
| etanercept Treatment, in combination with methotrexate, of adult patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who are at high risk of erosive disease in order to slow… | Nov 2005 | Not recommended | no section in document |
| etanercept Treatment, in combination with methotrexate, of adult patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who are at high risk of erosive disease in order to slow… | Nov 2005 | Not recommended | no section in document |
Who spoke
Colitis Australia · Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy · Creaky Joints Australia · CreakyJoints Australia · Global Healthy Living Foundation Australia
What the PBS pays
$1,787M in government benefit over 2024–25, across 14,430,139 services.
This is spend on the medicines considered for this condition, not spend on the disease. A medicine used for several conditions is counted in full under each, so figures across conditions add to more than national PBS expenditure.
| Medicine | Government benefit |
|---|---|
| abatacept, anakinra, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab | $465.3M |
| upadacitinib | $291.6M |
| adalimumab | $241.9M |
| golimumab | $97.7M |
| Naproxen and esomeprazole | $84.5M |
| naproxen and esomeprazole | $84.5M |
| Infliximab | $83.8M |
| infliximab | $83.8M |
| etanercept | $79.8M |
| tocilizumab | $69.8M |
| tofacitinib | $57.8M |
| certolizumab pegol | $57.5M |
Appraised elsewhere
NICE, in England and Wales, has appraised 12 technologies for this condition, recommending 10 . A different committee, a different population and a different price: this is what has been looked at there, not a verdict on what happened here.
| Technology | Appraisal | Outcome | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| upadacitinibUpadacitinib for treating moderate rheumatoid arthritis | TA744 | unknown | 2021-11 |
| adalimumab etanercept infliximab and abataceptAdalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and abatacept for treating moderate rheumatoid arthritis after conventional DMARDs have failed | TA715 | recommended restricted | 2021-07 |
| filgotinibFilgotinib for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis | TA676 | recommended restricted | 2021-02 |
| upadacitinibUpadacitinib for treating severe rheumatoid arthritis | TA665 | unknown | 2020-12 |
| sarilumabSarilumab for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis | TA485 | recommended restricted | 2017-11 |
| tofacitinibTofacitinib for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis | TA480 | recommended restricted | 2017-10 |
| baricitinibBaricitinib for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis | TA466 | recommended restricted | 2017-08 |
| certolizumab pegolCertolizumab pegol for treating rheumatoid arthritis after inadequate response to a TNF-alpha inhibitor | TA415 | recommended restricted | 2016-10 |
| adalimumab etanercept infliximab certolizumab pegol golimumab tocilizumab and abataceptAdalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab and abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with DMARDs or after conventional DMARDs only have failed | TA375 | recommended restricted | 2016-01 |
| tocilizumabTocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis | TA247 | recommended restricted | 2012-02 |
| golimumabGolimumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs | TA225 | recommended | 2011-06 |
| adalimumab etanercept infliximab rituximab and abataceptAdalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of a TNF inhibitor | TA195 | recommended restricted | 2010-08 |
Registered, not subsidised
Medicines on the ARTG for this condition with no PBAC record at all. Registration and subsidy are separate decisions: a medicine can be legally available in Australia and never have been put to the committee.
| Medicine | On the ARTG since | Registrations |
|---|---|---|
| celecoxibANACOXIB Celecoxib 100 mg capsule blister pack | 1999 | 49 |
| meloxicamAGILOCAM meloxicam 15 mg capsule blister pack | 2001 | 44 |
| piroxicamAPO-PIROXICAM piroxicam 10mg capsule blister pack | 1992 | 9 |
| hydroxychloroquineAPO-HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200 mg tablet bottle | 1994 | 6 |
| indometacinArthrexin 25 mg capsule blister pack | 1991 | 5 |
| sulfasalazinePYRALIN EN Sulfasalazine 500mg tablet | 1991 | 3 |
| penicillamineD-PENAMINE penicillamine 125 mg tablet bottle | 1991 | 2 |
| chloroquineChlorquin 250 mg Tablets bottle | 1991 | 1 |
The ARTG export holds current registrations only, so the year is the earliest entry still on the register rather than a first-registration date. The condition here comes from the registered label, which is usually broader than the population a sponsor asks to have subsidised.
Conditions are classified by a language model from the indication text of each submission, so an individual label here can be wrong. Consumer input is read from the document's own consumer comments section: 16 of 43 decisions since 2014 carried some. Silence means no comment reached the committee through that facility, not that nobody was affected. More on how this was built.