NICE requests more data from Biogen IDEC for Tecfidera assessment in Multiple Sclerosis
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has rejected the routine use of oral Multiple Sclerosis (MS) treatment Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) from Biogen IDEC in draft guidance. NICE which assesses the value of drugs for use on the NHS in England and Wales, said that Tecfidera was not a cost-effective use of NHS resources to treat adults with relapsing-remitting MS. When used as recommended a year's treatment costs more than �16,000. NICE stated that there were �still questions to be answered about the clinical and cost effectiveness of the drug� in the proposed indication and has requested more details from Biogen Idec.
The company now has until March 12 to submit extra information after which NICE will produce further guidance, with an aim to make a final recommendation in the summer of 2014.
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