MS patient dies after taking first dose of Gilenya

Novartis, makers of Gilenya, have confirmed that a 59 year old person with MS has died in the USA within 24 hours of their first dose of the disease modifying drug.

It is not yet clear whether the death was caused by treatment with Gilenya; an investigation is ongoing. Novartis has confirmed they have sent details of the case to the relevant regulatory authorities.

It's understood that to date around 28,000 people with MS worldwide have received Gilenya. The treatment was licensed for MS in the UK in March and NICE are currently considering it, their final guidance is expected in April 2012.

Read more about Gilenya, including possible side effects, here.