New treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?

[MaryEFoo]

Recently in another thread, tomndebb wrote,

For example, as recently as five years ago, Rheumatoid Arthritis was treated (basically) with aspirin plus the advice that the patient should resign themselves to a life of suffering. In the last couple of years, a new drug therapy has provided a very large number of RA sufferers with a significant reduction in pain and a nearly complete restoration of movement. However, the therapy costs $10,000 per year.

My uncle has bad RA and it is spoiling his life. What can you tell me about this, the name of the treatment and the % of patients helped, and any side effects? Is there some reason his doctor may not have discussed this with him? Is it still experimental?

Thanks!

[Nametag]

Enbrel is on the market, and it’s a freakin’ miracle. If your doctor hasn’t discussed it, it’s either because he knows your uncle can’t afford it or because he’s an idiot.

http://www.enbrel.com

[tomndebb]

I’m pretty sure that Nametag has it right. I had only encountered a reference to it in a speech in the last week by the CEO of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (noted on the botom of the linked page as one of the marketing companies of Enbrel). The $10,000 per year figure was quoted by the CEO, Robert Essner.