MS Society Welcomes NICE 'Yes' For Tysabri, UK

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 11 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The government's drug watchdog has recommended the use of Tysabri to treat people with highly active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) had been poised to reject Tysabri in a preliminary evaluation on cost and efficacy grounds.

But following a strong response from the MS Society, other MS charities, people affected by MS and the neurological community, NICE recently issued a final appraisal recommending its use for a small group of people affected by highly active relapsing remitting MS.

Read more about Tysabri, its efficacy, and eligibility for its use here.

Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the MS Society, said: "We welcome NICE's decision to take note of the consultation responses and recommend that Tysabri is made available to people with highly active relapsing remitting MS.

"For the small number of people who stand to benefit - we understand around 2,600 may fit the criteria across England and Wales - Tysabri represents a vital treatment option. NICE's decision highlights the need for new treatments for MS and for a rational approach to prescribing."

Unless an appeal against the decision is made in the next two weeks, final guidance will be issued shortly afterwards and health trusts will then have three months to make Tysabri available. This would bring the UK - except for Scotland - in line with other EU countries and the USA where the drug is already being used by more than 12,000 people with MS.

Simon added: "Once final guidance is issued, we will be keeping a close eye on prescribing to make sure that people who stand to benefit from Tysabri are able to get the drug locally.

"We hope no-one finds their access limited by local funding concerns."

The Risk Sharing Scheme for beta interferons and glatiramer acetate in the UK will not be affected.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium is currently revising its initial decision to reject funding for Tysabri. A decision is due in September.

http://www.mssociety.org.uk

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