This article is part of the Arthritis Archives.
Dateline: December 10, 2000
Enbrel Approved In Canada
Health Canada has approved Enbrel (etanercept) for the reduction of signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active adult rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have had an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs). Enbrel can also be used in combination with methotrexate in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to methotrexate alone.
Enbrel, Canada's first biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, will be commercially available in March 2001. It will be made available via a patient registry program through the patient's rheumatologist.
While individual responses to Enbrel vary, Enbrel appears to work for 2 out of 3 people who use it. Health Canada expects to file supplemental applications for polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and as a first-line treatment for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
Enbrel Enrollment Program
In the United States, Enbrel is already approved and used as a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in adults and also approved for moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs. Since its introduction in 1998, the demand for Enbrel has grown quickly in the U.S. Enbrel is a complex medication to manufacture and requires special production facilities. The construction of new production facilities is currently underway. Future supplies of Enbrel may be temporarily limited until the construction is completed.
To avoid any interruption in supplying current users of Enbrel and for the purpose of identifying and counting the number of current Enbrel users, Immunex and Wyeth-Ayerst have set up the "Enbrel Enrollment Program". Starting January 1, 2001 patients who use Enbrel must have an Enbrel Enrollment card in order to refill prescriptions for the drug.
People who use Enbrel are being urged to enroll immediately by calling 1-888-4ENBREL. After enrolling in the program you will receive a registration confirmation letter and an enrollment card with your name and an enrollment number on it. The makers of Enbrel have emphasized that the information you are asked to provide during enrollment is for the administration of the enrollment program only, and not for any marketing program.
From our online arthritis forum: "The call took about ten minutes and asks for name, address, phone number, and birthdate, after which one is given a confirmation number. They promise to send a registration packet by priority mail in 7-10 days. To fully register one must fill out and return the card enclosed." ~ RAHARRIS1
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First published: 12/10/2000
