Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) approved for relapsing remitting MS in Scotland

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) as an NHS treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in Scotland.

SMC has recommended that Ocrevus can be prescribed for relapsing remitting MS if:

• you are experiencing relapses or have MRI evidence of new areas of MS activity, and
• you are unable or unwilling to take Lemtrada (alemtuzumab)

This reverses SMC’s decision earlier this year that it did not recommend Ocrevus for relapsing MS.

This is really welcome news for people with relapsing MS in Scotland, as it gives them access to a proven treatment alongside people in the rest of the UK. We are also hopeful that ocrelizumab will be made available for those with early primary progressive MS across the UK in the near future. There are currently no treatments that can slow the progression of this form of the disease, in which disability accumulates significantly faster than for those with the relapsing form.

- Linden Muirhead, Director, Information and Engagement, MS Trust

NICE has paused the decision to reject Ocrevus as an NHS treatment for primary progressive MS (PPMS) in England and Wales. This is to allow time for additional discussions to take place between the drug company and NHS England. No timeframes have yet been published, and the outcome is obviously unknown, but we will continue to campaign for equitable access to effective care options for everyone living with MS. We will update you as and when further information becomes available.

SMC has not scheduled a review of Ocrevus as an NHS treatment for primary progressive MS in Scotland at the present time.