European watchdog promotes good work of Tysabri for MS

A review of Tysabri, also known as natalizumab, has been finalised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) - a condition related to multiple sclerosis and a rare brain infection caused by the JC virus - has been addressed.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, which operates under the EMA umbrella, has concluded that the risk of developing PML increases after two years of use of Tysabri although this risk is still small.

Furthermore, the benefits of the medicine still outweigh its risks for patients with very active relapsing-remitting MS, it was added, which has very few treatments on the current market.

The committee is now acting to implement a number of measures to be put in place to make sure that patients and doctors are both fully aware of the risks of PML.

Earlier this month, Dr Doug Brown of the MS Society hailed the success of Fingolimod, one of the first orally-taken drugs of its kind, and its positive effect on those with the condition.

Read about Barchester expertise in offering multiple sclerosis support.