Multiple sclerosis (MS) may impact quality of life, careers and family plans of the
affected individuals. The current treatments with disease modifying therapies aim
to prevent people with MS (pwMS) from disability accumulation and progression. Different
countries have different reimbursement policies resulting in inequalities in patient
care among geographical regions. Access to anti-CD20 therapies for relapsing MS is
restricted in Hungary because therapy of individual cases only is reimbursed. In the
light of the latest research and national guidelines, 17 Hungarian MS experts agreed
on 8 recommendations regarding relapsing pwMS using the Delphi round method. Strong
agreement (> 80%) was achieved in all except one recommendation after three rounds,
which generated a fourth Delphi round. The experts agreed on treatment initiation,
switch, follow-up and discontinuation, as well as on special issues such as pregnancy,
lactation, elderly population, and vaccination. Well-defined national consensus protocols
may facilitate dialogue between policymakers and healthcare professionals and thus
contribute to better patient care in the long run.
