Sanofi’s Aubagio recommended for use on UK's NHS

The UK's National Institute for Clinical and Health Excellence has issued final draft guidance recommending the NHS to use Sanofi's Aubagio (teriflunomide) for adult patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

While Sanofi's list price of Aubagio is set at £13,529 ($22,100) per patient a year, NICE was able to recommend it for the NHS after Sanofi made the drug available at a discount under the patient-access scheme. The size of the discount has not been disclosed.

However, the guidance states that "the evidence was insufficient to make any conclusions about the clinical effectiveness of teriflunomide for the subgroups with highly active relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis and rapidly evolving severe relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis compared with natalizumab and fingolimod".

Approximately 2.5 million people worldwide have multiple sclerosis. Around 8 out of 10 people with MS will have the relapsing remitting type of MS, according to the NHS. Relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis is a chronic, disabling, neurological condition that, as it progresses, can be life altering and have a substantial negative impact on quality of life and activities of daily living.

The NICE Committee concluded that "any delay in relapse and progression of disability or relief from using injectable treatments would have a positive impact on the lives of people with multiple sclerosis and their families".