TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Early day motion 1058, tabled 7 March 2007 by Howard Stoate (Labour). Signed by 55 members.

That this House welcomes the decision by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to consider the inclusion of natalizumab for the treatment of relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in its new fast track Single Technology Appraisal programme; notes that MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults including an estimated 86,000 people in the UK; further notes that although there is no cure for MS, there are effective treatments available which can ameliorate symptoms, slow down the progression of the disease and allow many patients to be free from all measures of disease activity for longer periods of time; further notes that NICE is expected to issue its guidance on the use of natalizumab in July 2007; and calls upon primary care trusts to ensure that eligible MS patients with highly active disease are not denied access to natalizumab pending NICE's decision.

Signatures by party: Labour 35, Conservative 7, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.