A NEW medicine that treats multiple sclerosis
and is supposed to prevent its progression could be another option for
those fighting the degenerative disease, a Newcastle academic says.
Newcastle
based neurologist Associate Professor Jeannette Lechner-Scott was
involved in the Australian clinical trials for a pill called Tecfidera.
It has just been listed on the public benefits scheme along with 50 new and amended medicines.
This means these drugs have become available to people who might not otherwise have been able to afford them.
Tecfidera
is supposed to reduce the frequency of relapses and delay the
progression of MS. The disease attacks a person’s central nervous system
and can impact mobility, balance and sensation.
Professor
Lechner-Scott, who is also a Hunter Medical Research Institute
researcher, said having improved access to new evidence-based options
for MS patients offered hope for the future.
Newcastle resident Sue Anthony was involved in the Australian clinical trial.
She
responded well to the treatment and has not had a serious relapse in
five years. Others had side effects, including flushing and did not
continue with the treatment.
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