Thousands with Multiple Sclerosis to Gain Access to New NHS Treatment

Thousands of people in England living with multiple sclerosis (MS), specifically the relapsing-remitting form (RRMS), are set to benefit from a newly recommended treatment available on the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved natalizumab, a medication administered via infusion or injection every four weeks, as an option for those with highly active RRMS.

Relapsing-remitting MS is the most common form of the disease, characterized by episodes where symptoms flare up before partially or fully subsiding. Natalizumab is intended for patients whose MS remains highly active despite other therapies or for whom alternative treatments are unsuitable.

MS is an autoimmune condition where immune cells mistakenly attack the myelin sheath—the protective layer surrounding nerves in the brain and spinal cord—leading to inflammation and scarring. This results in a range of symptoms such as vision problems, muscle weakness, fatigue, and balance difficulties.

Natalizumab works by binding to immune cells, preventing them from crossing into the brain and spinal cord, thereby reducing inflammation and nerve damage.

NICE estimates that approximately 123,000 people in England have MS, with around 43,000 living with RRMS at any given time. Two forms of natalizumab have been approved for NHS use: Tysabri, produced by Biogen and administered by injection, and Tyruko, produced by Sandoz and given as an infusion.

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, emphasized the significance of this approval: “This recommendation provides people living with highly active relapsing-remitting MS an important additional treatment option. Expanding choices allows patients and their healthcare providers to select the treatment best suited to their individual circumstances.”

Ceri Smith, head of policy at the MS Society, highlighted the benefit for women who wish to become pregnant: “Natalizumab is a highly effective therapy, and we are pleased that individuals with highly active relapsing MS who have not responded to other disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) will now have this option. Importantly, natalizumab can be safely taken during pregnancy, unlike many other strong DMTs.”

MS affects women about three times more often than men, according to NICE data.

Professor Ruth Dobson, lead at the Centre of Preventive Neurology at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, welcomed the news: “This development is a positive step for thousands of people experiencing breakthrough MS symptoms despite treatment. Having access to a broader range of therapies without delay empowers patients and their clinicians to choose the most appropriate care.”