Thousands of NHS patients in England with multiple sclerosis (MS) are set to benefit from a life-changing ‘take at home’ tablet, as the NHS becomes the first healthcare system in Europe to roll it out widely to patients with active disease.
The tablet, cladribine, requires just 20 days of treatment spread over four years, providing a convenient alternative to existing therapies that involve regular hospital infusions, frequent self-injections, and extensive monitoring.
Patients planning a pregnancy can also safely conceive in years three and four of their treatment cycle because cladribine is administered in short courses over two years.
Previously approved only for patients with more severe, highly active MS, NICE’s decision means cladribine is now available to a much wider group of patients.
Professor James Palmer is NHS Medical Director for Specialised Commissioning.
He said: “Broadening access to cladribine means thousands more patients will benefit from managing their treatment at home rather than regularly attending hospital appointments – as well giving women with MS who want to get pregnant more flexibility to do so around their treatment.
“This decision will also significantly free up clinical time, helping clinicians see more patients and boosting NHS productivity. It’s another clear example of the NHS’s commitment to improving patient care through innovation.”
Approved yesterday by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for patients with active relapsing-remitting MS, cladribine offers comparable clinical benefits to current treatments while significantly reducing hospital visits and clinical monitoring time.
The rollout is expected to save thousands of clinical hours each year, freeing up capacity within the NHS by reducing the need for hospital appointments.
Nearly eight in ten patients taking cladribine experienced no relapses, and MRI scans showed they developed 7.5 times fewer new brain lesions compared to patients given a placebo, in clinical trials lasting almost two years.
Minister for Public Health, Ashley Dalton, said:“We know that patients with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis face immense challenges, so I am delighted that this decision means more patients will get access to a treatment that will greatly improve their quality of life.
Laura Thomas, Head of Policy at the MS Society, added: “It’s great news that NICE have recommended the disease modifying treatment (DMT) cladribine (Mavenclad) as an option for those with active relapsing remitting MS.
Over 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, and many of them rely on DMTs like cladribine to help reduce MS relapses, so expanding patient choice is vital.”
