"NEW MEASURES MUST BE IMPLEMENTED TO HELP PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS" - LIZ LYNNE

7.18.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Jun 2007

Liz Lynne MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee and Vice-President of the All-Party Disability Intergroup, has urged the European Commission and the European Union's member-states to adopt the European Code of Good Practice on Multiple Sclerosis. The Code stems from a 2003 resolution calling for people with MS to have equal access to healthcare across Europe.

Speaking last night after a debate on the subject at the Parliament in Strasbourg, Liz said:

"The European Union is currently home to 400,000 citizens with MS. Unfortunately, there are huge differences within and between member-states in terms of available care and treatment and this must change."

"Some drugs, such as beta interferon, are still not widely available. Access to it in the United Kingdom depends so much on where you live that it resembles a postcode lottery. Furthermore, just 1% of Polish people with MS are treated with disease modifying drugs where as this is 50% in Sweden."

"People with MS should all be cared for in the best way possible, so they can retain their jobs, obtain sufficient support and remain in the mainstream of society. This is what the European Code of Good Practice calls for. It is thus also crucial that the Employment Directive is fully implemented."

"As 2007 is the Year of Equal Opportunities, we must ensure that a firm timetable is put in place for specific directives which will end discrimination in access to goods and services as well."

ENDS