The RemiCARE Patient Assistance Programme is established by Schering-Plough to provide REMICADE to patients with moderate to severely active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) despite treatment with methotrexate therapy

What is RA?

RA is a common form of arthritis that causes inflammation in the lining of the joints and/or other internal organs. RA tends to persist for many years, typically affecting many different joints of the body. It can cause damage to the cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments of the joints, resulting in decrease mobility and disability, which can be permanent.

RA affects the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, knees, or neck. It usually affects both sides of the body at the same time. In unusual cases, rheumatoid arthritis may affect the eyes, lungs, heart, nerves, or blood vessels.

RA is a chronic and debilitating disease and can affect anyone, including children and the elderly, causing pain and limiting their ability to perform simple daily task such as getting out of bed, buttoning a shirt and walking up the stairs. The disease usually begins in the most productive years of life – young to middle-adult years and women outnumber men three-to-one.

What is REMICADE?

REMICADE is an exciting new treatment for RA. It represents a new class of drugs called tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNF-?), which targets and neutralizes the key molecule, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), which is an important cause of the inflammatory processes of RA.
In clinical trials (refer to Reference 1,2), REMICADE has been shown to
• Give rapid and long lasting relief of signs and symptoms of RA
REMICADE often works rapidly and many patients feel better in as soon as 2 weeks.
• Stop the progression of RA, preventing bone and cartilage damage due to RA
• Improve quality of life (physical function) of patient with RA.
Hence REMICADE not only relieves painful symptoms of RA, but also controls the underlying inflammation associated with the RA.

Who is Eligible for RemiCARE?

RemiCARE ensures that REMICADE is available to RA patients with active symptoms of RA (joint pain, stiffness, inflammation and fatigue) despite methotrexate therapy who are also Singapore citizens or permanent residents of Singapore.

How to Apply for RemiCARE?

• Your rheumatologist must apply for RemiCARE on your behalf.
• Eligible applications will be filed with Schering-Plough by your rheumatologist.
• Successful applicants will be notified of REMICADE collection and approved subsidy plan by your rheumatologist.

To remain on RemiCARE

• Initial approvals are granted based on 3 infusions. Approval for renewal of prior applications will be granted based on 6 infusions.

For more information, please contact your rheumatologist.

RemiCARE Logo
Schering-Plough Malaysia and Singapore Add and Contacts.

Reference:
1. Lipsky P, Van Der Heijde DMFM, St Clair EW et al. Infliximab and Methotrexate in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. N Engl J Med 2000; 343 (22): 1594-1602
2. Maini R, St Clair EW, Breedveld F et al. Infliximab (Chimeric Anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor ? Monoclonal Antibody) versus Placebo in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Receiving Concomitant Methotrexate: A Randomized Phase III Trial. Lancet 1999; 354 (9194): 1932-1939