Nusinersen and risdiplam for treating spinal muscular atrophy

Section 7 of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Constitution and Functions) and the Health and Social Care Information Centre (Functions) Regulations 2013 requires integrated care boards, NHS England and, with respect to their public health functions, local authorities to comply with the recommendations in this evaluation within 90 days of its date of publication. NHS England has agreed to provide funding from routine commissioning budgets so nusinersen and risdiplam will be funded from 14 May 2026.

The Welsh ministers have issued directions to the NHS in Wales on implementing NICE technology appraisal guidance. When a NICE technology appraisal guidance recommends the use of a drug or treatment, or other technology, the NHS in Wales must usually provide funding and resources for it within 60 days of the first publication of the final draft guidance.

When NICE recommends a treatment 'as an option', the NHS must make sure it is available within the period set out in the paragraphs above. This means that, if a patient has spinal muscular atrophy and the healthcare professional responsible for their care thinks that nusinersen or risdiplam is the right treatment, it should be available for use, in line with NICE's recommendations.