PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 247 - 29 Jan 2000

Interferon-β-1b reimbursable forMS patients in Canada

Interferon-β-1b [‘Betaseron’; Berlex/Chiron] hasbecome the first ever medication to achievereimbursable status for patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in Canada.1

On January 1, Quebec began reimbursing ‘Betaseron’for patients with secondary-progressive MS meetingcertain medical criteria. This agent has beenreimbursable for patients with relapsing-remitting MSsince January 1997 in Quebec. The MS Society ofCanada applauded the Ministry of Health’s decision,suggesting that the Ministry is taking a leadershipposition in secondary-progressive MS.

Industry-led lobby campaign in UKMeanwhile, in the UK, manufacturers of interferon-β

therapies are encouraging patients with MS to lobbyhealth authorities, according to a report in the BMJ.2 TheNational Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is due torule on the interferon-β-1b product ‘Betaferon’ in May ofthis year. The manufacturer of the drug, Schering-Plough, is seeking the support of patients with MS tolobby NICE prior to its ruling. Many health authoritiesare reluctant to fund this therapy, as a year’s supplycosts about £10 000/patient. Similarly, Biogen,manufacturer of the interferon-β-1a product ‘Avonex’,has also asked patients with MS to join its Access toAction campaign to lobby health authorities.1. Berlex Canada Inc. Quebec takes leadership position in secondary-progressive

multiple sclerosis. Media Release : [1 page], 10 Jan 1999. Available from: URL:http://www.berlex.com.

2. Yamey G. Drug companies seek MS patients to lobby for new products. BMJ320: 207, 22 Jan 2000.

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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 29 Jan 2000 No. 2471173-5503/10/0247-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved