MS Society protests NICE rejection of Ocrevus for primary progressive MS

The U.K.'s NICE issued a final appraisal determination (FAD) on Sept. 10 recommending against the use of Ocrevus ocrelizumab from Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) to treat primary progressive multiple sclerosis with imaging features characteristic of inflammatory activity in adults. The MS Society said it will push back against NICE's rejection and plans to petition NICE, NHS England and Roche to agree to a deal to make Ocrevus available on the NHS.

NICE's appraisal concluded that Ocrevus compared with best supportive care alone is not cost-effective at the proposed commercial arrangement price, and cost-effectiveness estimates "are much higher than those NICE normally considers an acceptable use of limited NHS resources." The institute also said while clinical trial results suggest Ocrevus can slow the worsening of disability in MS patients, the size and duration of the effect are uncertain...