MS drugs on the NHS

SIR – There are sadly very few treatments available to manage the painful and disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) – a progressive neurological condition affecting 130,000 of us in Britain. So I was very disappointed to hear that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has rejected fampridine for use on the NHS in England.

Fampridine is a licensed, potentially life-changing drug that has been proven to improve walking ability significantly for some people with MS. Having been diagnosed with the condition in 1996, I started taking fampridine in 2012 as part of a clinical trial, and thankfully have been able to continue on it – although new patients cannot. The drug has had a profound impact on my movement, ability to walk and overall quality of life.

My MS made it impossible to continue as MP for Penrith and the Border, but having access to fampridine has meant that I could take on other roles that I love such as deputy chair of Natural England and a member of the Council of Europe. These positions require regular visits to reserves and conservation areas, as well as trips abroad. Put simply, without fampridine my working life would cease to exist.

I have been fortunate to continue to access fampridine through the trial (a privilege shared with those in Scotland and Wales who can get it free on the NHS). It’s unfair that the same freedom will not be afforded to others in England following its rejection by Nice on the basis of cost.

The Government’s National Disability Strategy emphasises the importance of helping disabled people get into and remain in work. Yet many people are being denied access to a treatment that has a significant impact on the ability to work, care for themselves and others, and maintain a social life.

Everyone deserves access to effective treatments for MS, no matter where they live in Britain. It’s high time that the NHS in England and the manufacturer work together to find a solution to make fampridine available to everyone who can benefit.

Lord Blencathra (Con)

London SW1