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Written question asked by Ruth George (Labour) on Friday, 18 January 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 January 2019 (named day). It was answered by Steve Brine (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 January 2019 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Multiple Sclerosis: Drugs

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with (a) Roche and (b) NHS England on introducing a managed access scheme for ocrelizumab to made available for people living with primary progressive MS.

Answer

In November 2018, my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, met with Roche to discuss life sciences, and briefly discussed the negotiations between Roche and NHS England on ocrelizumab. Similarly, the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Lord O’Shaughnessy) met with Roche in December 2018. Both Ministers encouraged the on-going negotiations and agreed that these negotiations needed to continue in order to ensure the best conclusion for both parties, and patients that suffer from primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Those discussions are rightly for NHS England and Roche and it would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently developing technology appraisal guidance on the use of ocrelizumab for the treatment of primary progressive multiple sclerosis. NHS England is in discussions with Roche, the manufacturer of ocrelizumab, to seek to agree a commercial agreement that might enable NICE to recommend use of the drug.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
210046
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Drugs Multiple sclerosis Roche
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk