Zeposia approved for MS in Scotland

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved the drug ozanimod (Zeposia) for patients with active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

The SMC has said ozanimod can be prescribed for people who are experiencing relapses or those whose MRI scans show disease activity, and who prefer to take their medication in tablet form.

Ozanimod reduced relapse risk in people with MS by 38% compared with beta interfon (Avonex) in a two-year clinical trial and reduced the amount of new lesion on MRI scans. There were no significant differences in disability progression between the two drugs.

The National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) has not approved ozanimod for use on the NHS in England and Wales, but has been reviewing the medication and has asked the manufacturer for more detailed evidence. You can comment on the draft recommendation via the NICE website and the deadline for doing so is 5pm Friday 12 February – please note you have to register with the website before it will allow you to comment. These comments will be reviewed by NICE and it will make a final decision later in the year.