The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has announced that it will not
be issuing its guidance on the use of beta interferon and glatiramer for treatment
of multiple sclerosis until next year.
Patient groups, professional bodies and the pharmaceutical industry had lodged
appeals against proposed guidance on multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment from
the NICE, which resulted in the delay.
The findings of an appeal panel that was considering the concerns raised by
these groups were published on November 8 on the NICE website (www.nice.org.uk).
The NICE says that it has not issued full guidance on the treatment of MS and
would not do so until next year. An appraisal committee will reconsider all
evidence submitted, which will include that on glatiramer, on December 13 and
will issue a final appraisal document for appeal on January 15, 2001. The three
grounds for appeal used by all of the appellants were based on the premise that
the NICE had failed to act fairly and in accordance with its appraisal procedure,
that it had prepared guidance that was perverse in the light of the evidence
submitted and that it had exceeded its powers. Several of these appeals had
been rejected but some were upheld.
Mr Peter Cardy (chief executive, MS Society) said: “The delay will create
more misery for people already living with a devastating disease.” The
European Multiple Sclerosis Platform, which represents MS societies in 21 countries,
commented: “The drugs are currently funded for those who could benefit
from them in almost every member country of the European Union except the UK.”