NICE rejects MS symptom-relieving treatments

on the 1 December 2014

NICE has rejected the NHS use of two treatments indicated to relieve certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

People who are already receiving Sativex or Fampyra on the NHS should be able to continue treatment until they and their NHS clinician decide it is appropriate to stop.
People who are already receiving Sativex or Fampyra on the NHS should be able to continue treatment until they and their NHS clinician decide it is appropriate to stop.

In its updated clinical guideline on the management of MS in primary and secondary care, NICE advised that patients should not be offered the cannabis-derived oromucosal spray Sativex to treat spasticity or the oral treatment fampridine (Fampyra) to improve walking disability. NICE judged that neither option was cost-effective.

NICE has issued positive opinions on the oral MS treatments dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera), teriflunomide (Aubagio), and fingolimod (Gilenya) and parenteral alemtuzumab (Lemtrada).

Follow MIMS on Twitter

Sign up for MIMS bulletins

Want news like this straight to your inbox?
Sign up for our bulletins

Have you registered with us yet?

Register now to enjoy more articles and free email bulletins

Register
Already registered?
Sign in

The most up-to-date drug information at your fingertips.

  • Get the prescribing support you need.
  • Register today for full access to the MIMS database, plus tables and guideline summaries, new and deleted products and consultation tools.
Register Now
Already Registered?

Forgotten password?

MIMS Clinics

Prescribing news and resources for key therapeutic areas, collated by the MIMS editors.

Twitter