Siponimod SPMS treatment on rocks but not sunk in health service quest

MS organisations battle for SPMS treatment to be available to those who need it. Draft guidelines challenged.

Give people with PPMS the treatment they need, MS Society campaign #SpeakupforMS

Blocking of a drug as a treatment for primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), making it unavailable for use by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), is being challenged by the country’s MS Society. And it has coupled its opposition with a call to arms – inviting everyone to #SpeakupforMS. Holly, from the society’s campaigns community, …

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Ocrevus blocked again, this time for PPMS, as not cost-effective

  So, news came out last week that the UK’s National Health Service will not be providing Ocrevus for treating primary progressive MS (PPMS) in England*. But, panic not, the decision is far from being set in stone. Why is this? Because the decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, (NICE), was …

Threat to three DMTs removed after manufacturers cut prices

Manufacturers of three relapsing multiple sclerosis drugs have cut prices to remain available to Britain's National Health Service (NHS). They are all diseases modifying therapies (DMTs). In January, I brought you news that five such drugs were under threat, having been found to be not cost-effective as long-term therapy options. In a draft recommendation from …

MS drug Ocrevus could be barred from health service

Ocrevus may have taken the worldwide multiple sclerosis community by storm but it seems set for a rocky ride in the United Kingdom. It’s quite possible that it will not be available through the country’s National Health Service (NHS). Although the drug1, known by the non-brand name, ocrelizumab, was licensed by the European Medicines Agency …

MS bodies look for NICE support for PPMS treatment

Leading MS organisations are seeking support to gain approval for ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) to treat all primary progressive MS (PPMS). It is already approved for use against early PPMS. Both of the UK’s MS Society and MS Trust are campaigning to get the medication approved for wider use by the country’s National Health Service (NHS). And …

Cuts proposed to MS treatment options

It cannot be right, it really can’t! People with multiple sclerosis are facing being denied access to five previously approved disease modifying therapies (DMTs). This shocking development would affect people who are newly diagnosed or those wishing to change to a different drug. The proposal to cut the number of treatment options comes in the …

After Long Wait, Zinbryta Gains Approval in Areas of the UK

News that daclizumab, brand name Zinbryta, has been given the go-ahead to be available through the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) for treating relapsing MS, at least in part of the country, is good news. But why has the decision taken so long? Possibly, because the first decision, last September, was ‘no.’ The latest decision by …

New drugs to face affordability test

Proposed changes to the UK’s drug approval process should be the subject of an honest debate according the country’s Multiple Sclerosis Society. The changes will mean the National Health Service (NHS) in England will assess how much it can afford to pay for new drugs. Under the plan, new drugs that are expected to cost …

Just two weeks to fight for MS treatment

Anyone wishing to take issue with the draft recommendation to not make daclizumab1 (Zinbryta) be made available as a treatment on the NHS in England and Wales has just 15 days to do so. Comments must be received by Friday October 21. So, if you want a change of heart, don't delay. The time to …