MS Society chief executive Simon Gillespie said: "The MS Society is appalled that NICE has recommended turning down one of the most effective drugs licensed so far for the treatment of aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS). But given NICE’s track record on MS drugs, we are not surprised.

"In clinical trials, Tysabri has shown a significant reduction in relapse rates and a reduction in the risk of disability progression. This means the small number of people with MS who stand to benefit - probably around 2-3 percent of everyone with MS - could face a better quality of life, stay in work and off benefits, and experience far less of the pain and isolation MS can cause. Their families, friends, employers, and wider society also stand to benefit. But NICE doesn’t take this into account."

Tysabri has a US and EU-wide licence for the treatment of MS and, following the Scottish Medicines Consortium's decision not to recommend Tysabri last year, the UK is now the only country that has advised against the drug, described as a 'breakthrough' in MS treatment by some experts.

Simon Gillespie said: "The UK is now alone in rejecting this drug. More than 10,000 people with MS in Ireland, Germany, the USA and elsewhere are already benefiting. But NICE has decided people with aggressive MS in the UK are simply not worth it."

You can take part in the NICE consultation here.

Further reading

Tysabri (natalizumab) Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD) on the NICE website
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=418937 

NICE evaluation report of Tysabri (natalizumab)http://guidance.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=419024