Thousands of patients in England with multiple sclerosis (MS) are expected to benefit from the new treatment. This comes after the NHS becomes the first healthcare system in Europe to roll out a “take at home” tablet for individuals with active disease
This new treatment, cladribine, requires 20 days of treatment spread over four years, giving patients a more convenient alternative to existing therapies that often involve regular hospital visits, frequent self-injections, and extensive monitoring.
New treatment options for those with MS
Cladribine has recently been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use in patients with active relapsing-remitting MS.
Previously available only to those with more severe forms of the condition, the new approval offers new opportunities for larger groups of patients to access this medication.
With this approval, cladribine is now a viable option for many patients who require effective treatment but may struggle with the demands of frequent hospital visits or complicated treatment schedules.
The roll out of cladribine
This oral medication, which can be taken at home, offers similar benifits to current MS treatments but significantly reduces the need for hospital visits and clinical monitoring.
Patients will only need to take cladribine in short courses over two years, with no further treatment needed for two years following the initial course. For patients planning a pregnancy, this treatment also provides added flexibility, as it is safe to conceive during the third and fourth years of the treatment cycle.
The NHS’s decision to adopt cladribine on a wide scale is expected to save valuable clinical hours, as fewer patients will need to attend hospitals for regular appointments. This shift in treatment delivery could free up capacity for other essential medical care and improve overall efficiency within the healthcare system.
In clinical trials, nearly eight in ten patients taking cladribine reported no relapses, and MRI scans revealed 7.5 times fewer new brain lesions than patients who received a placebo.
Making it easier to manage MS
These promising results suggest that cladribine is a highly effective treatment for managing relapsing-remitting MS, a debilitating neurological condition that affects over 150,000 people in the UK. MS can cause a range of severe symptoms, including pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and vision problems, making effective treatment essential for maintaining quality of life.
The introduction of cladribine tablets represents a significant advancement in MS care, offering patients a new level of convenience and control over their treatment.
This move also aligns with the NHS’s other plans of providing patients with more flexible and patient-centred care options. By expanding access to medications that can be administered at home, the NHS is making it easier for patients to manage their condition while avoiding the burden of frequent hospital visits.
Cladribine is part of a wider trend in the NHS toward embracing time-saving innovations. Similar treatments, such as the cancer drugs atezolizumab and Phesgo, have already been rolled out with positive results, improving patient experience and reducing clinical workloads.
Around 2,000 patients are expected to begin cladribine treatment over the next three years, with many more to benefit in the future as the rollout continues. This move builds on the NHS’s recent successes, including delivering additional planned appointments ahead of schedule, helping to meet government productivity goals.
