A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY has today announced that an oral treatment for people with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is now available in the Republic of Ireland.

The drug, Aubagio, has been described as “an exciting development for the MS community” by Chief Executive of MS Society Ireland, Ava Battles.

It is the first oral, once-daily, first-line medicine for treatment of relapsing-remitting MS and offers an alternative to repeated injections.

As of the start of this month, the drug has been approved for the HSE’s High Tech drug scheme for reimbursement.

“MS Ireland believes people with MS should have access to all and any appropriate and licensed treatments that would improve or assist in the management of their condition,” Battles commented.

Relapsing-remitting MS affects about 85% of those diagnosed with MS. Approximately 250 people are diagnosed with MS every year in Ireland with 8,000 in total directly affected by the disease.

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