The Australian goverment will fund another treatment option for young Australians suffering from arthritis.

Starting November, Australia's Federal Government will fund biologic treatment Humira (adalimumab) for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) under its Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Arthritis affects not only older people, but children as well. In Australia, at least 5,000 children are affected by JIA at any one time. JIA occurs when a person's own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy cells in the body, causing stiffness, swelling, pain and moving difficulties in one or more of a child's joints, in some cases preventing them from enjoying school, sporting activities and playing with friends.

As documented in Arthritis Australia, its effects can have a detrimental impact on friendships, self esteem and confidence and rob young people of the simple joys of childhood. Arthritis in children can cause permanent joint damage and problems with bone development and growth, leaving adolescents and children with disabilities they may not outgrow, if the disorder is left untreated.

"The physical and emotional effects of JIA can be disabling for a young person and can last into adulthood. They can also be a major toll on the family," said Dr Allen, Paediatric Rheumatologist based on Melbourne.

"But with early diagnosis and appropriate management, we can improve their chances of a having a good quality of life both in their childhood and in their future."

Federal Government funding of Humira provides children and adolescents living with polyarticular JIA in Australia with another treatment option, given to patients once every fortnight.

Dr Roger Allen has welcomed the Federal Government's decision, saying: "As each patient with JIA responds differently to different treatments, it is important there is a range of effective and convenient treatment options to choose from."

"Adalimumab broadens our options, helping us to manage the condition in a way that meets the specific needs and circumstances of each individual patient and their family."

Humira belongs to a group of medicines called biologics. Biologics block the specific part of the immune system that is attacking the healthy cells of the body, therefore targeting the underlying mechanism of the disease as well as its symptoms.

Humira's TGA registration in Australia is based on safety and efficacy results from a clinical study of JIA patients four to 17 years of age. The PBS listing requires Humira to be prescribed by a paediatric rheumatologist and patients to meet qualification criteria. The recommended dose of Humira for patients 4 to 17 years of age with polyarticular JIA is based on weight.

In addition to polyarticular JIA in children and adolescents over the age of 4, Humira is also approved in Australia for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease and psoriasis.