Extavia, a form of interferon beta-1b, can be used in patients with early and relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, Basel, Switzerland-based Novartis said in a statement today.

Selling the treatment is a strategic step that allows Novartis to establish itself in the multiple sclerosis community before introducing its potentially best-selling FTY720 MS pill. The company aims for at least $1 billion in sales for its multiple sclerosis franchise, Joe Jimenez, the head of Novartis’ drug unit, said in an interview before the approval. Novartis plans to set up a network of sales people, nurses, as well as support hotlines to help sell Extavia and “build our commercial capability,” Jimenez said.

The MS Technology Collaborative has created a new way for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) to exercise their brain power. The Collaborative, an alliance of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Microsoft, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, today announced the launch of MyBrainGames, a free suite of online games filled with cognitive challenges for the MS community.

Approximately 50 percent of people living with MS develop cognitive challenges, often in the areas of processing speed, working memory and complex attention. These challenges can involve difficulty in learning and remembering information; focusing, maintaining and shifting attention; and organizing, planning and problem-solving.

MyBrainGames, available for free at MyMSMyWay.com, are the first online games designed specifically for people with MS under the direction of a team of leading healthcare professionals specializing in MS and cognition, as well as members of the MS community. The games provide a series of fun and interactive cognitive challenges for the MS community.

“Many times our patients are doing well physically but they may still struggle with cognitive ability,” said Dr. Stephen Kirzinger, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program at the University of Louisville and one of the healthcare professionals who oversaw development of the game. “This game presents the first step in assessing whether games can help counter the cognitive challenges of MS.”

The games challenge the player’s processing speed, working memory, attention, and task switching ability. Each game is available at varying levels of difficulty and players can even create customized levels to best suit their individual abilities. All scores can be saved, allowing users to track their performance over time.

Because people with MS experience a range of physical limitations in addition to cognitive challenges, MyBrainGames was also developed with technical modifications to ensure that the games are accessible to the MS community. The game’s “Accessibility Toolbar” offers the option for color inversion, changes in contrast, and bold and enlarged game text. To account for individuals with limited dexterity, minimal mouse and keyboard movement is required, with most of the game played using only two keyboard keys.

MyBrainGames is the latest deliverable of the Collaborative’s nearly three-year partnership, which began with their 2007 survey, “Staying Connected: An Investigative Survey of How Technology Affects People Living with MS.” Results from this survey indicated that people living with MS were not only highly reliant upon computers and the internet, but also frequent gamers, with 36% of respondents reporting the use of online games.

In response to the survey results, the Collaborative launched http://www.MyMSMyWay.com, an online portal that features information and resources on technology, including the Snapshot tool, an interactive quiz that provides customized technology solutions based on each individual’s particular needs and challenges. The site is now also home to the Collaborative’s latest addition, MyBrainGames.

“We have seen through our work over the past few years the tremendous impact that technology can have on a person’s journey with MS,” said Dr. Nicholas LaRocca, Vice President of health care delivery and policy research at the National MS Society. “With the launch of MyBrainGames, we’re pleased to be able to present a unique piece of technology that we hope will have a similar impact.”

The Collaborative is currently working with leading healthcare professionals and game developers to secure a research grant to evaluate the impact of MyBrainGames on cognitive function.

To access MyBrainGames and the multitude of resources offered by the Collaborative, please visit http://www.MyMSMyWay.com.

View entire post here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157707.php

March 4, 2009

As part of its Betaplus patient support program, Bayer will refund a single copay for those who take Betaseron for 11 consecutive months.

Under the new benefit, people who send in their prescription receipts for Betaseron will be refunded the copay for their 11th month of use of the drug, up to $500.

The Betaplus program also has other options to save patients money, including monthly co-pay assistance for as long as a person is on Betaseron therapy and specialists who may be able to help obtain insurance coverage of the drug.

The Betaplus program also offers access to MS nurses, email reminders about injection days, one-on-one injection training, and calls from peer mentors.

For more information about the copay refund or other Betaplus programs, call 1-800-788-1467 or visit www.betaseron.com.

View entire article here: http://www.msfocus.org/online_newsDetails.php?ID=262