Covid-19 treatments for people with MS

The government has announced that people with MS are eligible to receive treatment if they become infected with Covid-19. These treatments can be taken early, with the aim of preventing you from getting so ill that you need to go into hospital.

Covid-19 treatments are supplied directly to you for free through an NHS Covid Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU), and you should not have to pay a prescription charge. They should be taken as soon as possible after a positive covid-19 test.

People with MS are included in this group because catching Covid-19 could potentially have a greater impact on your health than other people. Some treatments for MS can also make you more likely to get an infection or make it harder to recover from infection. Some people with MS who have caught Covid-19 have reported that their MS symptoms worsened while they were infected and during recovery.

What do I need to do?

If you live in England, you may already have had a letter or email from the NHS with details about this option. You will shortly be sent a lateral flow or PCR testing kit to keep at home. You should do the test if you notice any of the main Covid-19 symptoms (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a lost sense of smell or taste). You should log a positive test online or by calling NHS 119.

If you notice Covid-19 symptoms before you get your testing kit, you can call 111 to get a rapid referral. It is best to start the treatment as soon as possible after you test positive. 

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not currently sending out test kits to keep at home, ready for you to use in case you develop Covid-19 symptoms. If you do develop Covid-19 symptoms, you can go online or call 119 to book a test at a test centre or order a test to do at home. 

What happens next?

If your PCR test is positive, an NHS Covid Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) will get in touch with you, normally within 24 hours. This could be by text, email or phone. They will assess your need and either send you a medicine you can take as a tablet at home, or arrange for you to visit the NHS CMDU for a treatment that is given by infusion. You will not automatically be offered treatment if you are getting better.

If you do not hear from the CMDU within 24 hours of a positive test, and you think you are eligible for Covid-19 treatment, you should contact your GP or NHS 111. They should be able to make a referral for you. Where the CMDUs are experiencing heavy demand, there may be delays. 

What are the treatments?

PF-07321332 (Nirmatrelvir) plus ritonavir, (brand name Paxlovid) is anantiviral medication given as a course of tablets. It can either be collected by a friend or family member without COVID or delivered to your home. It is not suitable for patients with certain health conditions or on some other medications. 

Sotrovimab is a neutralising monoclonal antibody (nMAB) therapy given through a drip in your arm (infusion). Those prescribed sotrovimab will need to travel safely to a CMDU to have it.

Remdesivir is an antiviral treatment given through infusion like sotrovimab however unlike sotrovimab which only requires one treatment, remdesivir is given over three separate days.

Molnupiravir (brand name Lagevrio)is an antiviral that can be taken at home as a tablet.

You can read more about these treatments on the NHS covid treatments page.