Gilenya turned down in UK by NHS/NICE

[Lulu54]

I was researching something on the web and stumbled upon this one - it seem that Novartis has its work cut out to get Gilenya approved by the NHS.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/uk-health-cost-unit-rejects-novartis-ms-drug-2011-12-01

[Lulu54]

NHS in the UK decides what drugs their patients can take and eliminates the others.  They look at the cost vs efficacy and make their decisions on the financial side (and probably other factors) as to whether there is enough beneft to justify the expense.  In the case of Gilenya, it appears they are saying no.

[Guitar_grrrl]

Well, here's hoping this will help curb the outrageous pricing Big Pharma puts on these "Miracle Drugs".  Yes, they ARE clinically helpful, but if nobody can afford them, not even those who DON'T rely on the NHS/NICE, but have to pay crazy co-pays through their private insurance, nobody benefits.  

I'm this close to throwing the towel in on DMDs.  They're just too expensive!

[Needhelp16]

I read the article, but I'm unsure of the importance.  I'm really tired so my brain isn't working properly, so I apologize.  My understanding of the article is that NICE doesn't feel that gilenya has proven success and novaris' price is way too high so NICE wont approve it.  Is that correct?  If they wont approve it in the UK is there really a problem with this drug?  I'm not taking it but for others that are...that article would raise a red flag for me!