Multiple Sclerosis patients are now being supplied with the new pen injection, The Malta Independent has learnt. The injections also fall under the Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC) scheme.

The pen injection is much more comfortable and less painful than the traditional needle and syringe. Firstly because it can be self-administered and does not require medical assistance or patients needing to visit the hospital. And secondly, because the injection is replaced by a click.

In Malta, around 260 individuals suffer from MS, an unpredictable disease that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and body.  This may cause the nerves themselves to deteriorate, a process which is irreversible.  Victims of MS may share the same disease, but signs and symptoms differ widely from one person to the other, hence the term multiple. Some need to be injected with medication every week, but others need the medication every other day.

The process to introduce pen injections was initiated by former health minister Godfrey Farrugia; however the process was paused when Dr Farrugia resigned. However, last September, the process was back on track.

Over the past months, patients of this disease have been in constant contact with this newspaper, which has made several requests for information to the parliamentary secretary of health Chris Fearne. This  advancement will serve as good news for some of the patients who explained how they made use of pen injections abroad, and were disappointed to find out they were not available in Malta.

Earlier this year, a groundbreaking drug for MS patients was also introduced.