The British National Health Service has announced the availability of the drug Fampridine (Fampridine) for thousands of people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) in England, in a move described by doctors and patient associations as potentially transformative for the lives of patients suffering from walking difficulties.

According to British media reports, approximately five thousand patients will become eligible to receive the new treatment, which is taken in pill form twice daily, after their treatment options were previously limited to physical therapy, the use of walking aids, or special foot braces.

Fampridine works by improving the transmission of electrical signals across nerves damaged by multiple sclerosis, helping muscles respond better and leading to improved walking ability and increased mobility speed in some patients.

Sarah Smith, Head of Policy and Evidence at the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society, stated that the adoption of the drug within the NHS system is great news for patients, confirming that Fampridine is the only licensed treatment that contributes to improving walking ability in some individuals with multiple sclerosis.

She added that more than 120,000 people live with the disease in England, and that the treatment may help many of them become more self-reliant or continue working and practicing their daily lives.

How does the drug work?

Professor Frankie Swords, Medical Director at the British Health Service, explained that walking difficulties significantly affect patients' independence and quality of life, noting that Fampridine acts as a "nerve signal enhancer" by helping electrical signals pass through damaged nerves, giving patients the opportunity to move with greater ease.

He added that even a slight improvement in walking ability can make a huge difference, whether in moving around the house, going out with more confidence, or being self-sufficient in performing daily activities.

Who are the beneficiaries?

The treatment will be offered to patients whose disability score ranges between 4 and 7 on the Multiple Sclerosis Scale of Disability. This category includes those who can walk approximately 500 meters without assistance, as well as patients who use wheelchairs or cannot walk more than five meters.

Patients will undergo a treatment trial lasting between two and four weeks, with their walking ability assessed before and after starting the treatment. If the results show tangible improvement, the patient will continue using the drug with periodic reviews.

Clinical trials have shown that Fampridine improved walking speed in 43% of patients, and also helped many walk longer distances.

A chronic disease affecting the nervous system

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, and there is no known cure for it yet. Its symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, numbness, muscle spasms, vision problems, memory weakness, in addition to movement and walking difficulties.