MS: NHS rolls out “life changing” pill to help patients walk more freely

Thousands of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in England will be offered a new drug on the NHS to help them walk more easily.Fampridine (Fampyra)—the first medicine to help improve walking for adults with MS—will be routinely available on the NHS in England from today.The twice daily pill acts as a “signalled booster” for nerves damaged by MS, helping electrical messages to travel to muscles more effectively. This will make it easier for some patients to walk, which could make everyday tasks easier and help them maintain their independence, said NHS England (NHSE).MS is a lifelong neurological condition caused by damage to nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can include weakness, fatigue, loss of sensation, problems with balance and coordination, and difficulty walking.Existing treatment options for helping people with MS to walk include physiotherapy and exercises, walking aids, devices to support the feet, and treatments to manage muscle...