News story

31st October 2001

MP Condemns Further Uncertainty Over MS Drug

Northavon MP Steve Webb has condemned the further uncertainty to be faced by local sufferers from Multiple Sclerosis who would benefit from treatment by Beta Inteferon. For the last two years, the drug has been subject to a review by the National Institute for Clinicial Excellence (NICE), a Government body set up to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new drugs. Over that period only a handful of people in the Avon area have been able to get treatment. NICE is due to report on Friday, and it is widely expected that the Institute will recommend that the NHS does not pay for any new patients to be treated with Beta Inteferon. However, the Government has now let it be known that it is “considering” new trials of Beta Inteferon in co-operation with the drug manufacturers with the possibility that the manufacturers would contribute towards to the cost of the trials if the drug was not shown to be effective.

Commenting on this development, Steve Webb, who has already led one debate in Parliament on the subject, said:

“Once again, MS sufferers have been left dangling. After months and months of delay, the Government has again muddied the waters over whether people with MS will be able to get Beta Inteferon. It is quite cruel to raise people’s hopes in this way without a definite timetable for action. I will be asking questions in Parliament and pressing for a swift end to this uncertainty. I would be delighted if local people could get this treatment, even as part of a fresh trial, but the waiting and uncertainty must cease.”.

*** ENDS ***