Celebrities join fight for MS treatment

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, notable figures including Eddie Izzard, Sally Gunnell OBE and Billie Piper, called for an end to the postcode lottery and treatment for all.

Oritse Williams, a band member of the boy band JLS, who helped care for his mother who has MS while he was growing up, was also a signatory to the letter.

Patricia Gordon, the acting Chief Executive of the MS Society, said that the UK is behind the rest of Europe in treating MS despite having high incidence of the disease.

Perhaps most concerning is that as many as six out of 10 people with relapsing forms of MS are currently going without any form of disease modifying treatment. Across Europe, only Poland and Romania fare worse.

The report found access to Sativex the UKs first cannabis-based licensed medicine and Fampyra which can improve walking speed by 25 per cent is abysmally low. Only two per cent of people with MS have access to these life-changing treatments.

Since the survey botox has been licensed for treatment for an overactive bladder, adding to the treatments which should be available for people with MS.

The Postal survey of around 10,000 people with MS also found that poorer people are not getting enough help.

Half of those who are really struggling financially have their need for social care met, compared to nine out of 10 who are financially really comfortable.

The MS Society called for more funding for social care authorities and help such as occupational therapy to keep people in work.

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Celebrities join fight for MS treatment