Drug rejected for NHS use in England and Wales for multiple sclerosis

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced it does not recommend Zeposia (ozanimod) for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment on the NHS in England and Wales.

The drug was approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium in February for use on the NHS in Scotland.

NICE origionally rejected the drug earlier this year, after which an appraisal committee reviewed the comments submitted, and its latest statement confirms the decision.

NICE considers Zeposie not cost-effective for the NHS because although the Institute acknowledges the drug reduces the number of brain lesions and relapses when compared with Avonex (beta interferon), it isn’t sure about Zeposia’s ability to slow disability progression.