'Life-changing' drug to help MS patients walk available to thousands on NHS. NHS approves ‘life-changing’ drug for thousands with multiple sclerosis The TimesDrug that helps MS patients walk now available on NHS The TelegraphNHS rolls out ‘life-changing’ drug to help multiple sclerosis patients walk The Independent.
Details
Available information indicates that 'Life-changing' drug to help MS patients walk available to thousands on NHS Sky News'Life-changing' MS drug to help people walk now on NHS in England.
Professor Frankie Swords, 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.
Hailed as "life-changing," fampridine marks a significant advancement as the first drug specifically designed to address walking difficulties associated with the incurable autoimmune disease.
Fampridine trials found the drug improved walking speed in 43 per cent of patients and helped people walk for longer.
Thousands of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in England are set to benefit from a new twice-daily pill that significantly improves walking ability, which is now being rolled out on the NHS.
Those with a score of between four – able to walk without an aid or rest for around 500 metres – and seven, which include patients who use wheelchairs or are unable to walk further than five metres, will be offered fampridine.
Patients will try the drug for two to four weeks, with walking ability assessed before and after treatment, in a development tied to the same story.
Separately, “For many of them, it’s life-changing, allowing them to live more independently or stay in employment.
Statements
«I would definitely like to try fampridine again on the NHS. My mobility has decreased a lot and even in my flat I have to use sticks now. It would make a huge difference to my life if I were able to improve my walking.»
Context
“Fampridine helps electrical messages travel along nerves damaged by MS, giving people the chance to walk more easily and helping them be more mobile to do more of the everyday things that matter to them.
It is the first drug designed to improve walking ability in people with MS, an incurable autoimmune disease which affects the brain and spinal cord, according to the latest reporting on the story.
Available information indicates that Until now, patients struggling with mobility have primarily relied on physiotherapy, walking aids, or supportive devices for their feet.
It would make a huge difference to my life if I were able to improve my walking.”, in a development tied to the same story.
“Over 120,000 people live with MS in England and Fampridine is the only licensed treatment that helps improve walking ability and speed for some of these people.
