Multiple Sclerosis Society Rejects Claims of Little Treatment Benefit

Medical Update Memo
December 10, 1999

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada rejects claims that current MS therapies are not beneficial enough for governments to fund.

"Recent evidence about permanent damage to nerve fibres themselves and brain atrophy early in the disease are making treatment with existing drugs even more important," said Dr. William J. McIlroy, national medical advisor, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

Investigators reported in the British Medical Journal on whether treating people with the secondary-progressive form of the disease is cost effective. They concluded from a study of 132 people that the benefits are low based on the cost of the current therapies which can be as high as $21,000 (Canadian) per year.

"It is important to note that the current MS therapies have been proven to impact the disease course. We believe that treatment is so important that the Canadian Network of MS Clinics and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada jointly endorsed a consensus statement on the use of the drugs in the treatment of MS," Dr. McIlroy added. The consensus statement was published in the November 1999 Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences.

The Canadian consensus statement calls for treatment as early as possible for people who have active disease, who are able to walk with or without a walking aid and who have had MS attacks at some point in their disease. The statement covers both people with relapsing-remitting MS and those who have reached the secondary-progressive stage.

"The Multiple Sclerosis Society is very pleased that provincial governments have recognized the importance of treating MS. All provinces have established drug cost reimbursement programs to help people with MS have access to the therapies. Our concern is that some programs are too restrictive, and we will be working with some of the provincial governments to expand programs to meet the consensus statement," said Deanna Groetzinger, vice-president of communications.

The vast majority of people with MS are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. They have unpredictable attacks followed by spontaneous recovery which may be complete, or they may be left with some disability. More than half of people in the relapsing-remitting stage develop secondary-progressive MS in five to 10 years. MS attacks are less frequent, but people slowly become more disabled.

All four of the current disease modifying therapies for MS lessen the frequency and severity of MS attacks by about one-third and greatly reduce disease activity as measured by fewer MS brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Most of the therapies have been shown to slow the progression of disability.

Multiple sclerosis is the most common disease of the central nervous system affecting young adults in Canada. An estimated 50,000 Canadians have this unpredictable disease which can cause vision problems, lack of balance and coordination, extreme fatigue and paralysis.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada provides services to people who have MS and their families and funds research to end the devastating effects of the disease.

Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.