Multiple Sclerosis - Costs

MS in the EU costs us over €10 billion in medical care and lost productivity each year. There is a positive correlation between the severity of the disease and the underlying costs of treatment. Generally, the long-term care costs are estimated at about € 30.000 - € 60.000 per patient per year, depending on the severity of the disease. The largest proportion of costs is indirect costs (± 37%) and drugs (± 40%). Of the latter, disease modifying drugs accounted for 86% of annual total drug costs. The annual direct drug cost for Multuiple Sclerosis treatment range from  €12,800–13,500 (conventional drug treatment) to approximately €25,500 for natalizumab, a novel monoclonal antibody approved for use in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.