Dive Brief:
- The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved coverage of Genzyme's Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) for multiple sclerosis (MS)
- This is a reversal from NICE's denial of coverage due to insufficient cost-effectiveness data in December 2013
- The company provided data as needed, and NICE decided to fund the treatment, which costs $94,000 for a full course
Dive Insight:
When Lemtrada was approved for the treatment for multiple sclerosis in September 2013 in England and Wales it represented a treatment breakthrough. Until this point, effective standard of care treatments involve taking tablets or receiving injections several times per week. In contrast, Lemtrada is a twice-yearly infusion treatment, with patients receiving infusions for five days during the first treatment period and three days for the second treatment period.
Despite the fact that Lemtrada was approved for use, NICE did not approve NHS coverage when it came up for consideration in December 2013. NICE suggested that although the efficacy parameters are good that there was insufficient cost-effectiveness data. Genzyme made the data available as requested and coverage has been approved. The cost of a full course of treatment is approximately $94,000.