Randerson welcomes funding for MS drug

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Sep 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Jenny Randerson has welcomed the news that Health Commission Wales have agreed to fund Disease Modifying Therapy drugs for new Multiple Sclerosis patients.

Ms Randerson said: "These drugs were available to existing MS sufferers, but the funding ran out in Wales. These drugs were still available to new patients in England, so Wales became a 'blackspot' for people recently diagnosed.

"I am delighted to hear that Health Commission Wales will now be funding these drugs for new sufferers. Disease Modifying Therapies have an effect in earlier stages of the disease, so it is vital that they are available to recently diagnosed patients.

"Before the summer recess, I pushed the case for funding with the Health Minister Brian Gibbons. I am glad to see the government has responded to pressure and MS patients will benefit as a result."