WHY is the Government playing politics with multiple sclerosis sufferers?

Drugs are available which will help many sufferers live a more active life, but they cost £7,500 a year to prescribe on the National Health.

The Government is about to close the door and stop all new referrals from receiving these drugs. Why?

The specialists we have met wish to prescribe beta interferon and the other, similar, drugs to suitable patients, but the Government takes no notice of them when it comes to deciding who can have a particular drug. The specialists readily admit that beta interferon does not help all patients, but they also say it does help a considerable number who are able to have it prescribed.

In France, Germany and the USA it is readily prescribed and many patients are benefiting. In Britain, only those who can afford £7,500 a year costs will obtain it.

My daughter-in-law is considered by her specialist to be a suitable patient for treatment with beta interferon. If she is lucky, she will have supplies prescribed. If not she will be treated with cups of tea and sympathy until her health finally breaks down altogether.

What a way to run a 'caring, fair society' that politicians are so fond of trumpeting all over the media. What a way to expect highly trained and dedicated professional doctors to care for their patients.

It is disgusting that the NHS cannot treat these sufferers.

David Hughes,

Hobgate, York.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, August 22, 2001