Ocrevus’ Price Earns It Another Rejection by NICE

NICE shot down Roche’s Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) for a second time, citing price concerns about the primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) treatment in a final draft guidance.

The institute previously ruled against recommending the first-ever licensed PPMS drug in July over price-versus-benefit concerns, even though clinical results showed it can slow the worsening of disability in PPMS patients.

In declining to recommend the drug for the UK’s National Health Service,  NICE said that Roche’s cost-effectiveness estimates were far higher than those it “normally considers an acceptable use” of NHS resources.