NICE's PPMS Ocrevus stance 'disappointing but not surprising'

When the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a positive final appraisal determination (FAD) for Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) last week, patient groups held back some praise for the decision.

The recommendation does not encompass the smaller but needier primary-progressive (PP) patient group, among whom disability accumulates twice as fast and for whom there is currently no disease-modifying treatment options.

Jo Sopala, director of development for UK charity, MS Trust, said at the time that she hoped the NICE recommendation would be a step towards reimbursement for PPMS patients on the National Health Service (NHS) too.