NHS England will now offer patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) a new 10-minute injection that can slow the progression of the disease.
NHS First Healthcare System to Give Jab
The NHS will be one of the first healthcare systems in the world to offer injections, which are said to be ready to be given in a few weeks.
Multiple Sclerosis Defined
Multiple Sclerosis is a lifetime condition whereby the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
Nerve Signal Damage in MS
Nerve signal transmission in MS is usually slowed or disrupted, leading to various issues potentially causing disability.
Three Types of MS
There are three main types of MS. There are relapsing-remitting MS, primary progressive MS and secondary progressive MS.
85% Suffering Remitting-Relapsing MS
About 85% of people suffer from relapsing-remitting MS with episodial attacks of symptoms, but modifying therapies can reduce relapses and slow down the symptoms of MS.
Primary Progressive Has No Remission
10-15% suffer from primary progression, where symptoms gradually worsen and accumulate without periods of remission. Secondary progression comes after relapsing-remitting, but due to medicines, it usually doesn’t get to this stage.
150 000 People Struggling With MS
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects approximately 150,000 people in the UK, 120,000 in England alone and with a staggering 135 people diagnosed each week.
Ocrelizumab Is Trusted Treatment
It is usually treated with the medication Ocrelizumab (ocrevus), which is generally administered to these patients to halt the symptoms.
Drug Approved Six Years Ago
Ocrelizumab was developed by Roche and approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2018.
Drug Praised for Its Effectiveness
The NHS national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, has praised the drug Ocrelizumab as the first drug to change the course of the disease.
New Jab Available After Approval
Around 9000 patients in England receive the drug via infusion and can get approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency for the quick new jab.
The Treatment Span Lies at Four Hours
Ocrelizumab is given through an intravenous infusion that can take up to four hours. It is given twice a year to target part of the immune system and lessen the attack.
Time-Saving Treatment
The new ‘under the skin’ injection will also be given twice yearly, but unlike Ocrelizumab, it will free up 90% of the time for both doctors and patients.
Clinical Trials Back Drugs Effectiveness
Clinical trials have been conducted to prove the injection’s effectiveness against the IV treatment, with 97% of patients having received no relapses in their condition.
MS Society Backs New Method
The Head of Policy at the MS Society, Ceri Smith, stated, “We welcome the decision to license injections as a new method of delivering ocrelizumab (Ocrevus).”
More Choices for MS Sufferers
Smith applauded the new method, stipulating that the injection will give MS sufferers new choices on how best to receive treatment.
European Commission Approved Method
The European Commission approved the use of the drug Ocrelizumab as a twice-yearly injection in June for MS sufferers in Europe.
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