Early and unrestricted access to high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies: a consensus to optimize benefits for people living with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Healthcare system; Multiple sclerosis; Pharmacoeconomics

Sistema de atención de la salud; Esclerosis múltiple; Farmacoeconomía

Sistema d'atenció de la salut; Esclerosi múltiple; Farmacoeconomia

Early intervention with high-efficacy disease-modifying therapy (HE DMT) may be the best strategy to delay irreversible neurological damage and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). In European healthcare systems, however, patient access to HE DMTs in MS is often restricted to later stages of the disease due to restrictions in reimbursement despite broader regulatory labels. Although not every patient should be treated with HE DMTs at the initial stages of the disease, early and unrestricted access to HE DMTs with a positive benefit–risk profile and a reasonable value proposition will provide the freedom of choice for an appropriate treatment based on a shared decision between expert physicians and patients. This will further optimize outcomes and facilitate efficient resource allocation and sustainability in healthcare systems and society.

Novartis facilitated two advisory boards on ‘Unrestricted access for RMS therapy and optimal patient outcome’ with physicians, health economists and patient groups to collect insights on the access to MS therapies across Europe as well as on the therapeutic strategy in MS with high efficacy early. These insights contributed to the manuscript content, which was then suggested for publication on a voluntary basis by the experts who wished to be authors. The content is owned and driven by the authors. The Sponsor had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.