Bayer, one of the world’s leading life sciences companies, recently held a medical summit to shed light on the prevalence and management of multiple sclerosis in the region.
Medical experts from Saudi Arabia and the region and senior Bayer representatives took part in the event.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition, which can affect the brain and/or spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, limb movement, sensation or balance.
It is caused when an individual’s own immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues. When this occurs, myelin — the protective insulation surrounding the nerve fibers of the central nervous system (CNS) — is destroyed.
Ultimately, this damage interferes with nerves’ communication between neurons in the CNS.
Medical experts, citing recent studies, said sufficient information was not available in the region about the disease.
They stressed the need to increase awareness among Saudi residents about the disease.
Mohammed Al-Jumah, professor and consultant of neurology and the lead for the Saudi Multiple Sclerosis Registry, said: “Multiple sclerosis is a rising concern in Saudi Arabia. It can be a challenging condition to live with, but new treatments have considerably improved the quality of life of people with the condition.”
He said: “There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, treatments focus on relieving the condition’s symptoms. They work to alter the course of the disease by decreasing the frequency and severity of relapses and the progression of disability.”
He said that successful management of the disease requires early intervention.
Patient education programs should aim at improving their adherence to treatment and enhancing their quality of life, said the professor.
Phil Smits, vice president of Bayer Middle East, said: “In the field of multiple sclerosis, Bayer has grown to develop a strong commitment to patients by continuously investing to support their varied needs. The company has developed a strong support system for multiple sclerosis patients which focuses on driving patient education and training needs. We have also developed autoinjectors to make the drug injection experience comfortable and more importantly, safe for patients.”
Smits added that Bayer’s Betaconnect autoinjector is the first component of an innovative dose delivery system for multiple sclerosis treatment.
Patients may choose to use Betaconnect independently or as part of a complete software-based system designed to track injection history and share important treatment information with health care providers, he added.
Smits said: “At Bayer, we are guided by a clear determination to provide sustainable solutions that place patients at the core.”
Medical experts from Saudi Arabia and the region and senior Bayer representatives took part in the event.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition, which can affect the brain and/or spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, limb movement, sensation or balance.
It is caused when an individual’s own immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues. When this occurs, myelin — the protective insulation surrounding the nerve fibers of the central nervous system (CNS) — is destroyed.
Ultimately, this damage interferes with nerves’ communication between neurons in the CNS.
Medical experts, citing recent studies, said sufficient information was not available in the region about the disease.
They stressed the need to increase awareness among Saudi residents about the disease.
Mohammed Al-Jumah, professor and consultant of neurology and the lead for the Saudi Multiple Sclerosis Registry, said: “Multiple sclerosis is a rising concern in Saudi Arabia. It can be a challenging condition to live with, but new treatments have considerably improved the quality of life of people with the condition.”
He said: “There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, treatments focus on relieving the condition’s symptoms. They work to alter the course of the disease by decreasing the frequency and severity of relapses and the progression of disability.”
He said that successful management of the disease requires early intervention.
Patient education programs should aim at improving their adherence to treatment and enhancing their quality of life, said the professor.
Phil Smits, vice president of Bayer Middle East, said: “In the field of multiple sclerosis, Bayer has grown to develop a strong commitment to patients by continuously investing to support their varied needs. The company has developed a strong support system for multiple sclerosis patients which focuses on driving patient education and training needs. We have also developed autoinjectors to make the drug injection experience comfortable and more importantly, safe for patients.”
Smits added that Bayer’s Betaconnect autoinjector is the first component of an innovative dose delivery system for multiple sclerosis treatment.
Patients may choose to use Betaconnect independently or as part of a complete software-based system designed to track injection history and share important treatment information with health care providers, he added.
Smits said: “At Bayer, we are guided by a clear determination to provide sustainable solutions that place patients at the core.”
