http://www.mssociety.org.uk/news_events/news/press_releases/ms_society_comme.html
25 January 2002
The Multiple Sclerosis Society today
(Friday, 25 January 2002) commented on the rejection of appeals against
the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's verdict that the disease-modifying
drugs beta interferon and glatiramer acetate should not be prescribed on
the NHS.
MS Society acting chief executive,
Ken Walker, said, "It is now two and a half tortuous years since the NICE
appraisal began. Throughout that time, we have expressed serious concerns
about the way in which it has been conducted. In particular, we have repeatedly
argued that the measures of cost-effectiveness NICE has used are inappropriate
for a fluctuating life-long condition like MS".
"The Department of Health has already
announced that people whose neurologists believe could benefit from the
drugs will now receive them as part of a long-term national study. The
scheme builds on a proposal the Society put to Secretary of State Alan
Milburn after it became clear NICE was likely to recommend people should
be denied the only drugs which can affect the progress of this devastating
disease. We expect details very shortly and are keen to see it begin as
soon as possible.
"While that is good news for many
people with MS, it sadly comes too late for many others who have become
too disabled to qualify for the drugs while the NICE appraisal has dragged
on".
"The Society recently voiced its
concerns about deficiencies in the NICE process to the Health Select Committee.
There is urgent need for change before treatments for other life-long conditions
fall foul of NICE's deeply flawed measures of cost-effectiveness".
The MS Society has set up a special
information line for enquiries about the Department of Health scheme on
020 8438 0862.
MEDIA CONTACT
David Harrison or Adrian Ellis
020 7838 2680
Harrison Bergman Limited
07836 523495(mobile)