Anger as MS drugs withdrawn

Just one beta interferon drug is to be available for the care of NHS patients with multiple sclerosis in England, it was announced today.

The drug Extavia gets backing from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the grounds that it is now cost-effective.

It costs more than £7,000 a year per patient.

NICE also withdrew support from glatiramer acetate and four other beta interferon drugs – Avonex, Betaferon, Plegridy and Rebif.

But the Multiple Sclerosis Society said the decision would leave patients without choice – especially when they suffered “intolerable” side-effects.

NICE says patients already on the drugs will be allowed to continue treatment.

Professor Carole Longson, from NICE, said the manufacturer of Extavia had agreed a reduction in its price to achieve cost-effectiveness.

She said: "We are keen to work with the companies for the other drugs to ensure that patients continue to benefit from a choice in treatment for multiple sclerosis."

But Genevieve Edwards, of the MS Society, said: “We have made so much progress on treatment options for people with MS, and it would be a significant step backwards if people with MS were now left with less choice and potentially no effective option.

“Many people find certain treatments won’t work for them, or they may have intolerable side effects, so it’s important people can have choice about how to best manage their condition. And we know that treating people as close to diagnosis as possible can limit the effects of MS.

“We want the companies who make these drugs to keep negotiating and come to a deal with NICE and NHS England so that patients don’t lose out.”