On 16 November 2006 the Department of Health contacted Strategic Health Authorities in England to remind them of their obligation to provide the disease modifying drugs for MS to people who meet the prescription criteria.
The drugs – Avonex, Betaferon, Copaxone and Rebif – are provided under the Risk-Sharing Scheme, in which a proportion of people receiving the drugs are being monitored for the long-term cost effectiveness of the products.
The purpose of the briefing note is to remind PCTs and Hospital Trusts that there is a statutory duty under directions made under the NHS Act 1977 to fund treatment for eligible patients, including those who are not subject to routine monitoring.
The MS Trust have been aware of problems in accessing the drugs in several areas around the country and have been pressing the Department of Health to remind Trusts that providing the drugs to people who meet the prescription criteria is an obligation not an option. We welcome this reminder and trust that all eligible people will now have access to the appropriate medication.