Over 120,000 people live with MS in England, and around 5,000 people a year will be eligible based on the extent of their walking difficulties.
NHS Approval and Patient Access
Fampridine, the first medicine designed to improve walking in adults with MS, is now routinely available on the NHS in England, according to NHS England. The decision follows a rigorous assessment by NHS England’s Clinical Priorities Advisory Group, which reviews specialist medicines, devices and treatments according to their benefit for patients and value for money. The drug will be available for adults with any type of MS whose walking difficulties are assessed as having an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of between 4 (able to walk without aid or rest for around 500 metres) and 7 (unable to walk further than 5 metres and largely restricted to a wheelchair).
Patients will initially try the medicine for 2 to 4 weeks, with their walking assessed before and after treatment – with those who experience a clear benefit continuing to take it for as long as it keeps working, with regular reviews taking place. It is estimated that around 5,000 people living with MS will be eligible in England in the first year. Ceri Smith, Head of Policy and Evidence at the MS Society, said they were “delightedby the news as the drug could be
life-changingfor many, allowing people to
live more independently or stay in employment”.
Patient Testimonials and Financial Barriers
Aysen Slack, 65 and from Eastbourne, chose to pay privately for the pills once she heard about them. She said fampridine was working well for me
but came at a significant expense and I could not keep doing that forever
so she had to stop. Slack said it was “great newsthe drug was coming to the NHS and she
would definitely like to try” again. My mobility has decreased a lot and even in my flat I have to use sticks now,
she said, it would make a huge difference to my life if I were able to improve my walking.
Patients will try the medicine for up to a month and only those showing “clear benefitwill be able to continue taking it. Prof Frankie Swords, the NHS national medical director, said:
Walking difficulties can have a huge impact on the freedom and independence of people with MS, so this signal-boosting pill could be life-changing for thousands of patients.”
Clinical Details and Treatment Process
Fampridine acts like a ‘signal booster’ for nerves damaged by MS, helping electrical messages travel more effectively to the muscles. Clinical trials found fampridine (Fampyra) improved walking speed in 43% of patients and also helped people walk for longer. Patients will initially try the medicine for 2 to 4 weeks, with their walking assessed before and after treatment – with those who experience a clear benefit continuing to take it for as long as it keeps working, with regular reviews taking place. Professor James Palmer, National Medical Director for Specialised Services at NHS England, said: For people with MS who have spent years relying on physiotherapy, walking aids or help from others, having access to a one-of-a-kind treatment specifically for walking difficulties offers real hope of greater independence.
The rollout brings access in England in line with other UK nations. The MS Society has urged local NHS services to ensure equitable access, noting that over 120,000 people live with MS in England. It is vital that MS services now have the support they need to make fampridine available to all people with MS who could benefit from it, regardless of where in England they live.
Sources: bbc.co.uk.
Related reading
