Multiple Sclerosis Cases Hit 2.3 Million Worldwide

The number of people living with multiple sclerosis around the world has increased by 10% in the past five years to 2.3 million, according to the most extensive survey of the disease to date.

There have been a number of new drugs in recent years to treat MS, particularly with the introduction of a new generation of oral therapies such as Novartis' Gilenya (fingolimod), Biogen Idec's Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) and Sanofi's Aubagio (teriflunomide).  These medicines offer an effective alternative to older disease-modifying treatments that are given by injection.  The survey found that injectable drugs like Biogen's Avonex (interferon beta-1a) and Teva's Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) were partly or fully funded in 96% of high-income countries, while Gilenya was available in 76%.
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