LYON, France, October 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The MS in the 21st Century initiative has taken a significant step forward with its publication in the Journal of Neurology, a leading journal in the area of neuroscience with a significant impact factor of 3.8.

The published article entitled Future MS care: a consensus statement of the MS in the 21st Century Steering Group [http://www.springerlink.com/content/l04084qgw2p647j5 ], details the work of a panel of European and Canadian neurologists and representatives from umbrella organisations, which came together to define how multiple scleroris (MS) treatment and standards of care should look in the 21st Century. The "MS in the 21st Century steering group" also aims to align the broader MS community to minimum standard of care as well as to challenge the current treatment paradigm.

Over the course of three meetings, the MS in the 21st Century steering group compiled a Consensus Statement, which it hopes will act as a call to action for healthcare providers and decision makers.

The Consensus Statement communicates the groups vision ie full access to personalised treatment, with reimbursement, to achieve freedom from disease, and outlines the seven key areas of development that it believes must be addressed to realise this vision. These are personalised care, patient engagement, commitment to research, regulatory body education and reimbursement issues, new endpoints for clinical trials, more therapy options and MS centres of excellence.

Commenting on the recent article in the Journal of Neurology, the MS in the 21st steering group chair, Professor Peter Rieckmann, said: "The publication of our approach to MS care is

a significant step forward, and will support us over the coming period when engaging with various stakeholders including regulators and patients. We recognise that a strong

collaboration across the MS community is essential to ensuring that the principles underlying the statement are accomplished."

To date endorsement for the initiative has been received from various leading experts in MS treatments and organisations including the Czech Neurological Society, MS Society, UK and MS Trust UK.

Notes to Editors

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Initiative on Future MS Treatment and Care Takes Significant Step Forward