Episode 16: Behind the landmark WHO decision on essential medicines for MS

Multiple sclerosis treatments have been added to the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List (EML) — a landmark decision with major implications for global access to MS care.

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Nick Rijke (MS International Federation) and Dr. Deanna Saylor (Johns Hopkins Hospital) about how this historic WHO decision was achieved, why it matters, and what happens next.

Together, they discuss:

• What the WHO Essential Medicines List is and why it matters
• Which MS treatments were added to the EML
• How the decision could improve global access to MS therapies
• The challenges facing low- and middle-income countries in MS care
• What clinicians, researchers, advocates, and policymakers must do next

This conversation explores one of the most important developments in global MS advocacy and what it could mean for equitable access to multiple sclerosis treatment worldwide.

This podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.