Positive trial results could lead to a new breed of oral multiple sclerosis drug treatments becoming available to patients within 12 or so months, it has emerged. Approximately 100,000 thousand UK residents are thought to have this disabling neurological condition (out of two-and-a-half million worldwide MS patients) and - at present - treatments for it come in the form of either infusions or injections.

However, recent international MS drug tests have been taking place featuring the participation of 1,000 MS sufferers, representing close to 20 nations, and the promising results gleaned from them mean that applications have now been submitted for the drugs to be licensed for use.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

A pair of drugs was trialled: fingolimod and cladribine. In comparison with placebo treatments, both were found to reduce rates of relapse by up to sixty per cent, and in the case of fingolimod, it was discovered to offer twice the performance of one common Multiple Sclerosis treatment.

"This is great news for people with MS and signifies a shifting tide in the treatment of the condition", the MS Society's Biomedical Research Manager, Doctor Doug Brown, enthused.

"Availability of oral therapies will give people greater choice and being able to take a tablet instead of unpleasant injections will come as welcome relief. The evidence is now there and we will be working with the relevant authorities to make sure those who will benefit can get access."

Multiple Sclerosis Drug

The advent of a Multiple Sclerosis drug to replace present treatments has long been anticipated, with pharmaceutical firms battling to be the first to bring one to the marketplace.

The MS Society is now pressing these firms to ensure that prices are fair. "The evidence is now here and we hope to see the pharmaceutical companies price these drugs responsibly so they can be made available to people with MS", it said.

See also:

Blood Pressure Drug May Aid Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Research Highlights Possibilities for MS Vaccine

Breakthrough in Multiple Sclerosis Genetic Research