Key facts
- Fampridine, a drug designed to improve walking in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), is now available on the NHS in England.
- The medication is described as a 'signal booster' that enhances nerve signal transmission to muscles.
- Clinical trials indicated that fampridine improved walking speed in 43% of participants.
- Approximately 5,000 individuals in England are expected to be eligible for the treatment annually.
- Patients will undergo an assessment period of 2 to 4 weeks to determine continued eligibility based on observed benefits.
Thousands of people in England with multiple sclerosis (MS) will now have access to fampridine, a drug designed to improve walking difficulties, NHS England announced. The medication, taken twice daily as a pill, functions as a 'signal booster' to enhance the transmission of electrical messages along nerves damaged by MS, potentially enabling patients to walk more easily and live more independently.
Clinical trials demonstrated that fampridine improved walking speed in 43% of patients and also helped them to walk for longer durations. Eligibility for the treatment will be determined by an assessment of walking difficulties, with patients initially trying the drug for two to four weeks. Those who experience a clear benefit will continue treatment, subject to regular reviews.
It is estimated that around 5,000 individuals in England will be eligible for the drug in its first year of availability. Professor Frankie Swords, NHS National Medical Director, stated that the drug could be 'life-changing' for many, improving their mobility and independence. Professor James Palmer, National Medical Director for Specialised Services at NHS England, added that the treatment offers 'real hope of greater independence' for those who have relied on physiotherapy or walking aids.
Aysen Slack, an MS patient from Eastbourne, shared her experience of previously paying for fampridine privately until the cost became prohibitive. She expressed her delight at the drug's availability on the NHS, stating it would make a 'huge difference' to her life and that she would 'definitely like to try fampridine again'. The drug is suitable for adults with any type of MS whose walking difficulties fall within a specific range on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 4 to 7.
Fampridine was previously rejected for routine use on the NHS in England due to concerns about its value for money, although it has been available in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The MS Society welcomed the news, noting that the drug could enable people to 'live more independently or stay in employment'.