Bid to axe MS treatment condemned

Health regulators have been slammed over a new consultation which proposes removing treatments for a debilitating condition from widespread NHS use.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has said that omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid compounds should not be offered to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) because there is “no evidence to suggest they help in treatment”.

But the MS Society has criticised the decision saying that the drugs can help people with MS walk more easily and manage painful muscle spasms.

The charity also said that patient groups were not given any opportunity to make representations to those developing the Nice guideline – the first clinical guideline that has been produced in 11 years.

Nick Rijke, director of policy and research at the MS Society, said: “We’re frustrated that this draft guideline proposes blocking access to treatments that we know can significantly improve quality of life for people with MS.

“We requested an opportunity to submit evidence to Nice to inform the content of this guideline but were turned away – much to our surprise and dismay. This flies in the face of the best practice process Nice follows when reviewing medicines and we feel people with MS have been denied a voice on this crucial review.

“We would urge Nice to pause on this and conduct a more open and transparent review, giving patient groups such as the MS Society a chance to present and discuss the evidence.

“This is exactly the sort of flawed regulatory process standing in the way of enabling access to life-changing treatments that people with MS need – and why we have this week launched our Treat Me Right campaign, calling for the NHS to enable people to get better access to the right treatments at the right time.”

Professor Mark Baker, director for the Centre for Clinical practice at Nice, said: “Nice has opened a consultation on its draft recommendations on the management of multiple sclerosis. This gives organisations and groups, such as the MS Society, the opportunity to comment on the content and wording of the guideline.

“Both fampridine and sativex were considered in the development of the draft guideline. A detailed analysis of the evidence of costs and benefits of these drugs led us to conclude that neither should be recommended by Nice as they do not currently represent cost effectiveness for the NHS.

“Should NICE become aware of further evidence to affect this assessment during the consultation period, the draft guideline may be revised.”

Multiple sclerosis affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of symptoms including problems with muscle movement, balance and vision.

Bid to axe MS treatment condemned