Lower price for MS drug paves way for approval

A new, lower price for a drug to treat a rarer form of multiple sclerosis in adults has paved the way for its approval by NICE.

In its final draft guidance, NICE has reversed its previous draft decision not to recommend ocrelizumab (Ocrevus, Roche) for treating primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in adults. This follows an agreement between the company and NHS England on the terms of a new commercial arrangement which will make ocrelizumab, the first disease-modifying treatment for PPMS, available at a lower price.

Given the unmet clinical need of people with this form of MS, the cost-effectiveness estimates for ocrelizumab at the new lower price compared with best supportive care alone are in the range that NICE considers an acceptable use of NHS resources.

Affecting around 90,000 people in England, MS is a chronic, lifelong and disabling condition affecting the brain and spinal cord. The primary progressive form of MS affects approximately 14 per centMS of people at the time of diagnosis.

Meindert Boysen, director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE, said: “Our earlier draft guidance acknowledged that ocrelizumab represents an important development in the treatment of a condition for which there is a large unmet need. Unfortunately we couldn’t recommend it at the price offered at that time because it did not represent a cost-effective use of limited NHS resources.

“We are therefore pleased that NHS England and the company have been able to reach an agreement that will see this important new treatment made available to thousands of people with this form of MS.”

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “Today the NHS is making a significant advance in the care of people living with multiple sclerosis. This latest innovative deal is further proof that companies willing to work flexibly with the NHS can secure a constructive partnership that benefits both patients and taxpayers.”