Treatment
Risk-Sharing Scheme
A study into the cost-effectiveness of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for MS (Avonex, Betaferon, Copaxone, Rebif) is currently ongoing in the UK (refT8). The study is organised by groups including the NHS, many other government departments, specialist nurse associations, neurologists and MS societies. People with RR-MS or secondary progressive MS where relapses are dominant will be monitored and treated. All persons meeting criteria specified in the Association of British Neurologists guidelines, as discussed in other parts of the Treatment section, are eligible to be entered into the scheme and receive treatment.
The study is known as the risk-sharing scheme, but the risk is not to the MS patient. Instead, the risk is a financial one that will be shared by the pharmaceutical companies who make the DMTs. The risk is that the DMTs will not meet a cost -effectiveness target in the long term, and if this is the case it is agreed that the NHS will pay less for the drugs (refT9).
If eligible, patients are enrolled on the scheme and their condition monitored using the EDSS - a scale for measuring disability - for up to 10 years. This will provide much-needed evidence on the long-term effects of drugs for MS, an outcome that the Association of British Neurologists has identified as an issue of major importance (refT4).
If you are interested in joining the risk-sharing scheme, the MS Society provides a useful
summary (refT9)
at
www.mssociety.org.uk.
If you’d like to know who to contact about the scheme, you can call the MS Society on
020 8438 0829 or email
campaigns@mssociety.org.uk. Alternatively you can contact the MS Trust on 01462
476 700, email
infoteam@mstrust.org.uk.