Red tape 'blocks use of statins to treat MS' Charity says drugs that could slow down breakdown of brain tissues by 40 …

Multiple Sclerosis Society believes cholesterol-busting statins could help Disease affects the nerves in the brain, eyes and spinal cord Drug not given to MS sufferers because laws prevent medicines being re-licensed

By Emily Kent Smith for Daily Mail

Published: 20:59 EST, 3 November 2014 | Updated: 04:22 EST, 4 November 2014

Statins could be used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) but are being blocked by NHS red tape, a charity has claimed.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society believes cholesterol-busting statins could help treat MS but are not prescribed because of strict NHS rules that prevent drugs being re-licensed for conditions other than that for which they were originally designed.

The disease affects nerves in the brain, eyes and spinal cord, often causing patients to lose basic bodily functions.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society believes cholesterol-busting statins could help treat MS

Initial trials conducted show that simvastatin, a drug traditionally prescribed to those suffering from heart disease, could slow the breakdown of the tissues in the brain by 40 per cent.

But the drug is not being given to MS sufferers because of laws which prevent old drugs being re-licensed.

The patent for simvastatin expired in 2004 and a new licence would be required to make the drug widely available, the charity has said.

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Red tape 'blocks use of statins to treat MS' Charity says drugs that could slow down breakdown of brain tissues by 40 ...