Prof. Monika Adamczyk-Sowa: MS drug program is a milestone, but some modifications needed
Published May 29, 2023 11:43
- In Poland at the moment we have access to all the drugs that are currently registered in the world.
- Patients with multiple sclerosis are young people. The disease will be with them for many years, so treatment needs to be planned.
- There are two treatment models. In the escalation one, we first reach for drugs with moderate efficacy. In the second, we immediately reach for drugs in highly effective therapy, the so-called HET/HETA.
- In long-term therapy, we must consider all of the patient's goals, including those related to procreation.
- The new drug program, which takes effect in November 2022, is a milestone in access to reimbursable therapies, but we expect some changes. This is access to high-efficacy therapies for cladribine tablets and okrelizumab, which will be eligible for first-line treatment, according to the SmPC. There is also a need for reimbursable therapy for the subcutaneous form of natalizumab.
- We still need reimbursement for symptomatic treatment for patients with symptoms such as spasticity, gait disorders and neuralgia.
- Administrative changes in patient access to specialty clinics and modification of lump sum pricing are also needed.
