Multiple sclerosis sufferers in ‘wrong’ areas are denied drugs, says MS Society

Multiple sclerosis sufferers are being denied drugs if they live in the “wrong” regions, a charity has warned, after a damning report found that as many as 60 per cent of patients are not receiving life-improving drugs for the incurable autoimmune disease.

A report by the MS Society found that patients in Northern Ireland are twice as likely to take disease-modifying treatments as those in Wales, following a poll of more than 10,000 sufferers.

More than 100,000 people in the UK are said to have MS – a disease that affects the central nervous system. There is currently no cure but drugs can treat the symptoms and slow the progression of disability.

PA