Multiple Sclerosis: World-first pill for MS to be offered to thousands of British patients

Multiple Sclerosis is most common disabling neurological condition, affecting almost 100,000 Britons New drug approved from England and Wales but NOT Scotland

By Jenny Hope

PUBLISHED: 03:37 EST, 16 March 2012 | UPDATED: 04:43 EST, 16 March 2012

New hope: 50 young people are diagnosed with MS each week

Thousands of people with MS could benefit from the first pill to treat the disabling disease.

The NHS rationing body has approved the drug fingolimod which can halve relapses compared with standard interferon injections.

Experts hoped the once-a-day pill will replace injections and hospital infusions for at least 5,000 sufferers a year.

In its initial assessment, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) said the drug was not value for money despite admitting it works.

But after considering extra evidence on its effectiveness Nice decided to give the go-ahead for use on the NHS.

Dr Eli Silber, a consultant neurologist who leads the MS service for South London based at Kings College Hospital, and was involved in trials, said

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Multiple Sclerosis: World-first pill for MS to be offered to thousands of British patients