Fingolimod: another lemon from NICE; not good news for MS'ers

"Fingolimod has not been recommended for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis in the NHS."

"There are uncertainties over its clinical effectiveness and, based on the available evidence, it would not be a cost effective use of NHS resources."

"While clinical trials have shown that fingolimod (also called Gilenya) can reduce the number of relapses in some people who have highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), it is unclear how much the drug may help the specific groups of people for whom it is licensed – i.e. adults with RRMS who experience at least one relapse in a year despite being treated with beta interferons, and adults with rapidly evolving severe RRMS who experience two or more disabling relapses regardless of their treatment."


NICE's draft guidance 5th August 2011

"As an MSologist I will have to do something to get this decision reversed; however, it will be difficult justifying using Fingolimod whilst the tablets costs £19,000 per year. Hopefully, Novartis will be flexible regarding the price of the drug for use in the NHS." 

Additional reading: fingolimod

CoI: Multiple (there is no getting away from these)

Please see other posts on this blog in relation to Fingolimod:

25 Jul 2011
Fingolimod does not promote remyelination. Fingolimod has been shown to work in animal models of MS, and has been approved as a treatment for relapsing-remitting MS. There is controversy in the literature regarding the ...
08 Jul 2011
What exactly are you planning on doing to change that Prof G? Having seen the Fingolimod corporate advert extolling its excellence I have to ask that if it is so effective why it is only approved for RRMS patients? ...
03 Jun 2011
What exactly are you planning on doing to change that Prof G? Having seen the Fingolimod corporate advert extolling its excellence I have to ask that if it is so effective why it is only approved for RRMS patients? ...
30 Apr 2011
In addition to its immune effects Fingolimod readily penetrates the CNS and may have direct effects on neural cells. This central mechanism of action distinguishes Fingolimod from other immunosuppressive drugs and may ...

Etc. Please use search term "Fingolimod"