New MS drugs 'out of reach'

Published Monday, 28 April 2014

The MS Society is asking people with MS to review their treatment options. (UTV)

Recent estimates suggest that there are more than 4,000 people living with MS in Northern Ireland - one of the highest prevalence rates in the world.

Research published by the charity in 2013 found that access to existing MS treatments was substantially higher in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK.

However the MS Society said there are concerns that new, life-changing MS drugs are still out of reach for many in NI.

There are now nine MS drugs approved for use on the NHS, but many with MS are not taking any treatment and are in the dark about the drugs that have the potential to alter the devastating impact of their condition.

The news comes as two new, innovative MS medicines have recently been approved for use on the NHS, and up to two more may follow within the next year.

For the first time many of these new drugs offer people the chance to take a pill rather than injections, which could significantly improve quality of life for many with the condition.

Iain Crosby, 47 and from Carnmoney, was working as an engineer at Shorts in Belfast when he was diagnosed with MS in 2005.

He had to give up his job as his condition deteriorated.

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New MS drugs 'out of reach'