NICE have recommended that anyone with relapsing remitting MS who is having relapses or new disease activity visible on MRI scans (known as active MS) may be eligible for cladribine tablets, sparing them hospital visits for injections/infusions and freeing up time in clinics. Previously, it was only prescribed to people with more severe active relapsing remitting MS (known as ‘highly active’ MS). The health service in England is thought to be the first in Europe to widely rollout cladribine.
This supercedes the December 2024 interim decision not to recommend cladribine for people with active RRMS.
Laura Thomas, head of policy at the MS Society, said:
“Over 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, and many of them rely on disease modifying therapies like cladribine to help reduce MS relapses, so expanding patient choice is vital.
“Cladribine is self-administered, so this decision could particularly benefit people who’d struggle to go into hospital regularly, like younger working-age adults.
“It will also benefit patients considering starting a family, as it’s safe to get pregnant six months after the final course of treatment – which is less restrictive than many other DMT options.
“We’re so glad that more people with MS will now be able to choose an effective treatment which suits their lifestyle.”
NICE is expected to issue final guidance for England in April, with access in Wales and Northern Ireland likely to follow. It is also being considered in Scotland.
Cladribine is self-administered, so this decision could particularly benefit people who’d struggle to go into hospital regularly, like younger working-age adults
Laura Thomas, head of policy at the MS Society
