More Than 1.5 Lakh People In The UK Live With MS, A Condition Affecting The Brain And Spinal Cord

London, March 12 (TNA) Thousands of NHS patients in England with multiple sclerosis (MS) will soon have access to a convenient at-home tablet treatment, reducing the need for hospital visits. The drug, Cladribine, is set to be offered to those with active relapsing-remitting MS and more severe, highly active forms of the disease, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

More than 150,000 people in the UK live with MS, a condition affecting the brain and spinal cord. While there is no cure, Cladribine has been shown to reduce relapses by targeting immune cells responsible for inflammation. The treatment consists of two courses, taken 12 months apart, with each patient requiring around 20 tablets.

Experts believe expanding access to Cladribine will provide greater flexibility for patients while easing the burden on NHS clinics. The UK is the first healthcare system in Europe to roll out this treatment. NICE is expected to issue final guidance for England in April, with Wales and Northern Ireland likely to follow. Scotland is also reviewing the decision.