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NHS rolls out ‘life-changing’ drug to help multiple sclerosis patients walk
The Independent • • health
Key Points:
- The NHS in England is rolling out fampridine, a twice-daily pill designed to improve walking ability for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), marking the first drug specifically targeting mobility issues caused by the disease.
- Fampridine works by boosting electrical signals along damaged nerves, enhancing muscle function and mobility, and is expected to benefit around 5,000 MS patients in its first year of availability.
- The drug is recommended for patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between four and seven, with treatment effectiveness assessed after a two to four-week trial period.
- Clinical trials showed fampridine improved walking speed in 43% of patients and helped many walk for longer distances, potentially increasing independence and quality of life.
- MS advocacy groups emphasize the importance of equitable access to fampridine across England, highlighting its potential to help patients maintain independence and employment.
