Roche - RoActemra: hoots mon!

Roche's new rheumatoid arthritis drug RoActemra will be made available on the state health service in Scotland, despite being deemed too expensive by regulators in England.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium, which decides on the cost-effectiveness of medicines, said it had accepted the drug for restricted use within the National Health Service in Scotland.

By contrast, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) which assesses treatments in England and Wales, said last month it was minded not to recommend it, unless Roche proved more evidence of its value.

RoActemra is also known as tocilizumab and is sold in some markets as Actemra.

Hat tip: Reuters' Ben Hirschler