NICE recommends new treatment option for multiple sclerosis

In final guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of Biogen Idec’s multiple sclerosis drug, dimethyl fumarate (also called Tecfidera).

The NHS now has a legal obligation to begin funding this treatment for eligible patients within the next 3 months.

Dimethyl fumarate is recommended as a treatment option for adults with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. This is a chronic, disabling, neurological condition that, as it progresses, can be life altering and have a substantial negative impact on quality of life and activities of daily living.

The independent Appraisal Committee, which developed the guidance on behalf of NICE, considered evidence from the manufacturer, clinical experts and patient representatives.

Professor Carole Longson, NICE Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director, said: “We are very pleased to be able to recommend dimethyl fumarate as an option for adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

“Evidence has shown that this drug is more effective in reducing relapse rates and just as effective in delaying disability progression compared with current similar treatments.

“Another advantage of dimethyl fumarate is that it is an oral treatment. It will be more convenient for patients to take than other currently available treatments, which must all be injected. It will help more people with multiple sclerosis to live a normal life.”

Dimethyl fumarate is recommended as an option for treating adults with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (normally defined as 2 clinically significant relapses in the previous 2 years), only if:

•     they do not have highly active or rapidly evolving severe relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis and
•     the manufacturer provides dimethyl fumarate with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.

The final guidance can be found on the NICE website here: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA320