Multiple sclerosis: First drug to help patients walk now on NHS in England - BBC

What the report says

BBC News reported that fampridine, described as the first medicine aimed at improving walking in people with multiple sclerosis, is being made available through the NHS in England. The drug is intended for some patients whose mobility has been affected by MS, and NHS England estimates that as many as 5,000 people a year could be eligible. It has already been available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system damages myelin, the protective layer around nerve cells, disrupting signals between the brain and the body. According to the BBC, fampridine works by strengthening those nerve signals, which can help some people move more easily. Trial evidence cited in the report found that about four in 10 patients had gains in walking speed and walking endurance.

The BBC highlighted the case of Aysen Slack, 65, from Eastbourne, who had previously paid privately for fampridine but stopped because of the cost. She said access on the NHS could make a major difference to her daily life, as her mobility has worsened and she now uses sticks even inside her flat.

The decision matters because walking problems can affect independence, employment and social life for people with MS. More than 120,000 people in England live with the condition, but access to fampridine will be limited to those meeting criteria based on walking difficulties. Patients will initially receive the drug for up to a month, and only those who show a clear benefit will continue treatment. NHS national medical director Prof Frankie Swords and the MS Society welcomed the move, saying even modest improvements could be significant for daily living.