The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that Lemtrada™ (alemtuzumab) has been approved for the long-term treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Given via intravenous (IV) infusion for a course of five days and followed one year later by a second three-day course, Lemtrada has been approved as a second-line therapy. This classification refers to a drug that may only be prescribed when other FDA-approved treatments fail or are not tolerated well by a patient. Lemtrada should generally be prescribed for patients who have had an inadequate response to two or more of the disease-modifying therapies, because of the medication’s safety profile.
Read News ArticleAuthor: Hoff Communications
Phase III Study Data Added to Aubagio’s Labeling
Genzyme, a Sanofi company, has announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved adding the data from two Phase III studies to Aubagio®’s (teriflunomide) product label. These studies are the TOWER and TOPIC studies, which provide additional study results for Aubagio’s efficacy and safety. Aubagio was approved by the FDA in September 2012 and was the second of three (to date) oral medications approved as a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for relapsing forms of MS.
Read News ArticleThe Multiple Sclerosis Association of America Offers a New Resource to Guide the MS Community in Accessing Vital Information
The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is pleased to announce the launch of My MS Journey, a new website addition accessed at mymsaa.org/journey. My MS Journey has been designed to guide individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) to the relevant information that best matches their needs – whether newly diagnosed or coping with the disease for many years.
Read News ArticleMSC Publishes Summary Paper on DMTs
On August 20, 2014, MSAA posted a news item announcing that the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition (MSC) had published a paper detailing the current evidence that supports the FDA-approved disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for the long-term treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Experts from member organizations of the MSC, including the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), collaborated to write this paper expressly for healthcare providers and the health-insurance industry, using a highly detailed and scientific style. The primary goal of developing this paper is to promote early and ongoing access to all of the presently approved DMTs for individuals with MS.
Read News ArticleThe Motivator: Summer/Fall 2014
MSAA’s 48-plus page magazine highlights and explains many vital issues of importance to our readers affected by MS.
Read News ArticleThe Motivator: Summer/Fall 2014 – Download PDF
Download the PDF of MSAA’s Publication.
Read News ArticleCover Story: Care Partners
Most major life changes come with advance notice. Weddings are preceded by engagements. Births follow pregnancies. Graduations come after education. Disability, however, arrives with no notification. While MS sometimes enters a life in stages, the onset is still a surprise.
Becoming a care partner is the same way. An individual suddenly becomes responsible for another with no notice. Even after years of caring for another’s wellbeing, the effort can be daunting, especially without the right direction.
Read News ArticlePart 1: THE ROLE OF THE CARE PARTNER
Since each person in a care partner relationship is unique, needs and responsibilities can vary. Some care partners may be required to handle household responsibilities, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, errands, grocery shopping, or meal preparation. Others might need to drive children to school and activities, or take their loved one to appointments with hairdressers or medical professionals. Sometimes, care partners must learn to use newer technology – and they might teach these skills to the person with MS. Handling business, legal, or insurance issues can also fall within the duties of a care partner.
Read News ArticleStress Reduction Resources
Miriam Franco, MSW, PsyD, emphasizes the importance of learning quick and effective means of stress reduction for both the care partner and the individual with MS. “Care partners are known to increase their risk of illness because they neglect their own health, don’t take time to exercise, or don’t take breaks. Stress-reduction techniques can easily be practiced at home, waiting in a doctor’s office, or together at the end of the day.”
Read News ArticlePART 2: Care Partner Health
Phil, who had left hip replacement surgery in 2011, now has problems with his right hip. “Shelley’s health was better the last time I needed surgery and she was able to care for herself. I can’t get the other hip fixed because I can’t go to the hospital and leave Shelley alone.”
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