Global economic impact of MS
MS is associated with high costs for MS patients, their families, and society as a whole
Last updated: 10th November 2016
MS can substantially and adversely affect an individual’s quality of life (QOL) and is associated with high costs for MS patients, their families, and society as a whole.
A key issue for policy makers and advocacy organizations is the cost to society of MS. Cost of illness studies quantify the economic burden of specific diseases and can be used by policy makers to allocate research and service funding. Several cost of illness estimates for MS in many different countries have been published over the past 10 years, with all finding a high cost on a per person basis.
To help raise awareness of the high global costs of MS, the MS International Federation produced a literature review with international data useful for estimating the costs and QOL impacts of MS at the national level. This review was a focal point for the World MS Day campaign in 2010.
A companion report includes a cost calculator that can be used to estimate the economic impact of MS at the country level.
The Atlas of MS also captured data on the cost of treatment (a component of economic impact) that can be used for advocacy purposes.
Download our report on the Global Economic Impact of MS
Download the executive summary
Thessaloniki, Greece, 10/2011. Finding an effective MS therapy has been a particular challenge for Vasiliki Garopoulou; every medication she tried has caused intolerable side effects. On average, she has a relapse once per month, many of which land her in hospital for cortisone treatment. Credit: Maximiliano Braun. Published on this website by kind permission of the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform.
Thessaloniki, Greece, 10/2011. Manolis Tsatsiadis’ medicine bag reflects the many symptoms that MS added to his daily existence. Aside from drugs to slow the progression of MS itself, he takes others to help control tremor, reduce pain, assist with bladder control, etc. At present, all MS drugs are fully covered by the national health plan, but the MS Society anticipates patients will have to start paying at least a portion due to the economic crisis. Credit: Maximiliano Braun. Published on this website by kind permission of the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform.