BMJ  2003;326:1212 (31 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7400.1212

Letter

Shared scheme for assessing drugs for multiple sclerosis

Cost effective provision of effective treatments for multiple sclerosis

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Sudlow and Counsell think that the UK government's risk sharing scheme for the provision of disease modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis (interferon beta and glatiramer acetate) may be flawed.1

Firstly, the risk sharing scheme was introduced to ensure that the disease modifying drugs in question are acquired by the NHS in a cost effective manner, which will be reviewed by the Department of Health at scheduled time points, with the required adjustments being made to ensure the agreed cost effectiveness threshold is maintained.

Secondly, pivotal, randomised, placebo controlled studies lasting for up to five years already show that these drugs are effective and well tolerated. The longer term outcome is less certain, although evidence both from observational studies and more than 15 years of clinical practice in the United States indicates that efficacy continues and there have been no unexpected safety issues.

We agree that additional robust long . . . [Full text of this article]

Jacqueline C Napier, associate medical director

Schering Health Care, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9NE jnapier@schering.co.uk

Richard Francis, country manager United Kingdom and Ireland

Biogen, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3UD

Glyn Wright, general manager

Teva Pharmaceuticals, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 7SS


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Relevant Article

Problems with UK government's risk sharing scheme for assessing drugs for multiple sclerosis
Cathie L M Sudlow and Carl E Counsell
BMJ 2003 326: 388-392. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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