Thousands of people living with multiple sclerosis in England will now be able to access a new medicine on the NHS designed to help them walk more easily, NHS England confirmed today. The drug, fampridine, works by boosting the electrical signals sent from damaged nerves to the muscles. Trial data cited by NHS England found that fampridine, sold under the brand name Fampyra, improved walking speed in 43 percent of patients and helped others sustain walking for longer periods. Under the new arrangements, patients will trial the drug for two to four weeks, with clinicians assessing their walking before and after. Professor James Palmer, National Medical Director for Specialised Services at NHS England, said the drug offers those who have long depended on physiotherapy or walking aids “real hope of greater independence.”