Who Are You to Tell Me What MS Therapy I Need?
I’m used to seeing insurance companies here in the United States make decisions about MS therapies, including refusing to pay for certain treatments unless other, less expensive ones are tried first. These, of course, are decisions that should be made between patients and their doctors, not by insurers. Now, I’ve learned of an attempt in the U.K. to blacklist an entire class of MS therapies for patients in England and Wales.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is a quasi-governmental organization. It develops clinical guidelines and quality standards. It also recommends which treatments should be made available in the U.K.’s National Health System. NICE says it makes these recommendations based on cost-effectiveness and safety.
On Dec. 20, NICE recommended that four of the five beta-interferon MS therapiesĀ ā Avonex (interferon beta-1a), Betaferon (interferon beta-1b), Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) and Rebif (interferon beta-1a) ā should no longer be prescribed to new MS patients or to people who want to change their therapies.Ā CopaxoneĀ (glatiramer acetate) also is on the “no” list. OnlyĀ Extavia (interferon beta-1b) should be prescribed, in the opinion of NICE.
The reason: NICE thinks that all of those treatments have a similar clinical effect, but only Extavia is cost-effective. And that’s because Extavia’s manufacturer, Novartis, has agreed to sell the therapy to the NHS at a discount.
Moving in the wrong direction
The U.K.’s MS Society calls this a “significant step backwards,” and I agree. In my experience, MS patients react differently to different disease-modifying therapies (DMT). In the real patient world, some treatments actually are more effective than others. Patients also react differently, in terms of side effects, to different DMTs. Not to mention the very important fact that treating a disease is personal. Treatments should be based upon a collaboration between a patient and a doctor. They should not be decided based on which pharmaceutical company cut the best deal with an insurer or a government health plan.
“We want the companies who make these [other] drugs to keep negotiating and come to a deal with NICE and NHS England so patients donāt lose out,”the MS Society’s Genevieve Edwards said. “Everyone with MS should be able to get fair and equal access to the right treatments at the right time.ā
There is still a little time to fight this (not-so) NICE recommendation.Ā NICE is accepting comments from patient groups and healthcare professionals until Wednesday, Jan. 24, and the MS Society is asking that you add your voice.Ā The society wants to know about your experience with these therapies and what having a choice of treatments means to you. You canĀ email your thoughts to [email protected]. You can also provide feedback directly to NICEĀ on its website.
You’re invited to follow my personal blog: www.themswire.com.
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Note:Ā Multiple Sclerosis News TodayĀ is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those ofĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
Comments
CINDY HEGGIE
MS is A very confusing thing. I would like to try Ocrevus & I will request it from my Neurologist. I sure HATE MS & what it has taken from me!!
Ed Tobias
Confusing, frustrating and several other adjectives that I can think of! When I was diagnosed in 1980 there were NO drugs capable of modifying the course of MS. Since there are now about 16 DMDs available, at least there is wide range of choices for many of us. Good luck with Ocrevus.
Ed