Great news for multiple sclerosis patients! The NHS has introduced a new 10-minute injection that can slow the progression of disability while reducing
hospital treatment time by over 90 per cent.
Currently, MS patients in England receive ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), manufactured by Roche, through twice-yearly intravenous (IV) infusions that can last up to
four hours.
Now, around 9,000 NHS patients in England will be able to receive the drug via a quick 'under-the-skin' twice-yearly injection. It takes just ten minutes,
enabling patients to spend less time in the hospital receiving treatment.
This roll-out follows approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), making the NHS one of the first healthcare systems
worldwide to offer this new MS injection. Drug stocks are expected to be available in the coming weeks.