Sources: BBC, MS-UK, NHS England
The first drug to help people with MS walk is being made available on the NHS in England.
Fampridine boosts nerve signals to make it easier for some people to move and live independently. Up to 5,000 people in England could benefit each year. The drug has previously been rejected for use by the NHS in England as it was not considered value for money, although it did become available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Clinical trials showed around four in 10 people taking the drug had improvements in their walking speed and in how long they could walk for.
Who can benefit from and access Fampridine?
People with an MS diagnosis aged 18 and over who experience difficulties walking and have an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of between 4 and 7 may now be eligible to try Fampridine. Other clinical issues will also be taken into account when individual eligibility is being assessed, such as any contraindications with other medications they may be taking and if they have a history of seizures or cardiac rhythm disorders.
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.
When can I get Fampridine?
While this decision is a step in the right direction, it does not mean that Fampridine will be available immediately. NHS services will first need to establish a pathway to assess and monitor eligible patients. Therefore, each NHS trust must ensure it has the appropriate staff, training, and resources in place to prescribe and monitor use of the medication safely. The time required to set this up may differ from trust to trust and it could take a number of months to complete.
To find out more about your eligibility and when you may be able to access the drug, please speak to your MS nurse team or neurologist.
Message from MS Nurses at Royal Berkshire Hospital
The MS nurses at Royal Berkshire Hospital have the following message for people enquiring to them about Fampridine:
“If you are enquiring about Fampridine and would like to be considered for this medication, please refer to the MS Society information to check whether you may be eligible. If you believe you are eligible, please contact us by email and we will add you to our waiting list.
Please note that Fampridine is not currently on our local formulary, but arrangements are being made to introduce this service and we will contact patients on the waiting list once it becomes available .” The email address to contact MS nurses is rbb-tr.msnurses@nhs.net
More information
You can read more about this development on the BBC News website, on the NHS England website and on the MS-UK website.
