New MS pill refused again by NICE

The new pill for people with relapsing-remitting MS, called Gilenya (formerly known as fingolimod), has been refused by NICE for a second time on the grounds of poor cost effectiveness.

Gilenya was licensed by drug regulators the MHRA in April after they deemed the treatment both safe and effective.  Since then, the availability of Gilenya has depended on whether local healthcare authorities or PCTs are willing to pay for it for their patients.

In August, NICE issued draft guidance stating the treatment was not cost effective and should not be freely available to people on the NHS. A consultation followed, in which the MS Society submitted evidence and the makers of the drug reduced the price, but today’s announcement shows the decision from NICE remains unchanged.

A further consultation will now take place and people with MS are encouraged to submit their views.

Dr Jayne Spink, Director of Policy & Research at the MS Society, said:

“This is incredibly disheartening news for people with MS and it will leave some people with no effective treatment option. We would like to see Gilenya freely available to all those that could benefit and remain hopeful that this will happen.

"This is not a final decision, so in the upcoming consultation period we would encourage people with MS to contact NICE with their views.”