A drug that could make life easier for some multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers has been approved for the health service list but no funds have yet been allocated.

The ground-breaking drug is the first pill-based medicine that helps reduce relapses for some adults who have highly active MS.

The Novartis-produced Gilenya (fingolimod) was approved by the European Commission in 2011.

According to the drug company, switching to Gilenya from an injected equivalent resulted in almost 50 per cent more patients being free of symptoms.

It is available in hospitals or reimbursed by the Government in 19 EU countries.

A Health Ministry spokesman said that the necessary procedures for introducing this treatment in the Government Formulary List were in process.

“This medicine has been approved for procurement, however, no funds have been allocated. In the meantime, patients are being assisted through the Malta Community Chest Fund.”

The ministry was also asked about a drug in pill form that helps control Type 2 diabetes and sees patients doing away with invasive insulin injections.

A patient who spoke to the newspaper said he was intolerant to the medication available on the Government Formulary List and had been buying this treatment for the past year.

The Health Ministry spokesman said an application for the introduction of this medicine into the list was received recently by the Department of Health.