24-073 Amjevita Now Available for Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases
Date: 01/31/24
Patients now have more options for Humira biosimilar drugs that can help reduce arthritis pain
On December 12, 2023, the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) Systemwide Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee approved the addition of AmjevitaTM (adalimumab-atto) to the CCHCS Drug Formulary.
The CCHCS Drug Formulary is the approved list of covered medications for California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) patients. Participating providers recommend medications for treatment based on the CCHCS Drug Formulary. The formulary list is available on the CCHCS website at cchcs.ca.gov under CCHCS Formulary.
What is Amjevita?
Amjevita was the first biosimilar to Humira approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker used to reduce pain, inflammation, and skin symptoms in autoimmune conditions. Amjevita is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis. Amjevita has no clinically meaningful differences in safety or efficacy compared to Humira.
A therapeutic interchange has also been approved to allow the switch between the two medications. CDCR primary care providers shall be directed to sign a therapeutic interchange so that pharmacy can switch all patients on Humira® to the approved formulary product. Participating providers who treat CDCR patients with inflammatory conditions are encouraged to review the prescribing information and use Amjevita where appropriate.
Prescribing information
- For prescribing information on Amjevita, refer to the FDA’s prescribing information (PI) resource (PDF).
- Providers prescribing non-formulary medications should follow the CCHCS non-formulary approval process. If no justification for the use of a non-formulary drug is provided, it will be assumed that a formulary alternative is acceptable.
- Providers practicing onsite must follow the CCHCS Formulary.
This information applies to Physicians, Hospitals, and Ancillary Providers.