Revolutionary new injection for Multiple Sclerosis patients now available on NHS
Multiple sclerosis (MS), a lifelong condition affecting over 150,000 people in the UK, causes a range of symptoms including vision, mobility, and balance issues, sometimes leading to serious disability. However, there is hope for MS patients in England as the NHS has introduced a new 10-minute injection that can slow the progression of disability, as well as reducing hospital treatment time by over 90%.
The new injection
Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), produced by Roche, is currently received by MS patients in England through twice-yearly intravenous (IV) infusions that can last up to four hours. Now, around 9,000 NHS patients can receive the drug via a quick ‘under-the-skin’ twice-yearly injection that takes just ten minutes. This method significantly cuts the time of regular treatment, enabling patients to spend less time in the hospital receiving treatment.
Clinical trials have shown the injection is as effective as the IV treatment, with 97% of patients experiencing no relapses or brain lesion development over 48 weeks. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the new injection, making the NHS one of the first healthcare systems worldwide to offer this new MS injection. Drug stocks are expected to be available in the coming weeks.
Benefits to patients
The introduction of this new injection would mean significantly less time spent in the hospital and more time with family. Nin Sambhi, a 39-year-old MS patient from Staffordshire who currently takes ocrelizumab via infusion, is excited about the new injection. The new treatment will expand treatment choices for many MS patients, allowing them to receive treatment in a way that suits them best.
Types of Multiple Sclerosis
There are three types of MS, and around 85% of those with MS have relapsing-remitting MS, experiencing episodic attacks of symptoms. Taking disease-modifying therapy can help them reduce relapses and slow progression. About 10-15% of patients have primary progressive multiple sclerosis, where symptoms worsen over several years without remission. Secondary progressive MS follows relapsing-remitting MS, but it can be delayed longer with disease-modifying therapies.
Treatment options for Multiple Sclerosis
Ocrelizumab is a disease-modifying therapy for active relapsing or primary progressive multiple sclerosis. It targets a specific type of immune cell to effectively halt MS symptoms. Ocrelizumab was first approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 2018 and for primary progression MS in 2019.
Conclusion
The introduction of a new 10-minute injection that can slow the progression of disability among Multiple Sclerosis patients is an exciting development for the NHS and patients alike. The flexibility and convenience of this injection will allow patients to receive treatment in a way that suits them best, reducing the time spent in the hospital. The NHS continues to make strides in innovative solutions for medical issues and is likely to pave the way for future advancements that benefit patients significantly.
Originally Post From https://www.pharmacy.biz/news/multiple-sclerosis-england-approves-new-jab-that-cuts-hospital-treatment-time-by-90/
