National MS Society, Teva release report on trends in MS care

NEW YORK The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Teva Neuroscience have joined together to conduct a study entitled Multiple Sclerosis Trend Report: Perspectives from Managed Care, Providers, and Patients.

The study evaluated MS views and experiences with managed care professionals, individuals living with the disease and health care professionals. The results showed that people living with the disease could manage it better with greater collaboration and more efficient disease management among neurologists, managed care organizations and specialty pharmacies.

Study results showed:

• Significant obstacles exist in optimal disease management, early treatment and patient adherence to that treatment, which are essential in helping slowing the progression of MS and managing symptoms.
• Specialty pharmacies are playing an increasingly important role in coordinated care for individuals living with MS. In fact, 95 percent of all specialty pharmacy respondents stated that they believe can enhance how health care professionals deliver care to MS patients.
• Neurologists are feeling so overwhelmed by the administrative barriers to diagnosing and treating MS that 64 percent say they would prefer not to take on more MS patients.
• Diagnosing MS earlier, starting treatment sooner, ensuring compliance and adherence to treatment, and better management of the disease could reduce long-term costs for managed care organizations.

The study calls for a uniform collaboration by all parties involved to help with the management of MS.