Earlier in 2014, a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) was issued, which concluded Lemtrada is a cost-effective use of NHS resources for MS treatment, and formed the basis of the final guidance for reimbursement.
University of Cambridge senior lecturer of Department of Clinical Neurosciences Alasdair Coles said the fact that NICE has followed the European Commission decision on patient eligibility for Lemtrada marks a step change in the clinical approach to treating MS.
"With this final guidance, the responsibility for treatment decisions with Lemtrada is now handed over to UK healthcare professionals and their patients," Coles said.
Final guidance from NICE follows the European Commission’s granting of marketing authorization for Lemtrada in September 2013.
Lemtrada is the company’s second MS treatment to secure NHS reimbursement following recent nice approval of Aubagio, a once-daily, oral therapy indicated for treatment of adult patients with RRMS.
Genzyme president and CEO David Meeker said the company is happy that NICE has recommended Lemtrada as being both clinically effective and cost effective for people with relapsing remitting MS.
"There are approximately 100,000 people in the UK diagnosed with the disease and Lemtrada can be a potentially transformative treatment for appropriate patients," Meeker said.
Lemtrada 12mg has a new dosing and administration schedule of two annual treatment courses and the first course of the drug is administered via intravenous infusion on five consecutive days, while the second course is given on three consecutive days, 12 months later.
Image: Genzyme’s Lemtrada 12mg has a new dosing and administration schedule of two annual treatment courses. Photo: courtesy of Baitong333/ freedigitalphotos.net