Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurologic condition in young adults and imposes high financial and quality of life costs on patients, their families and society. During the past years, developments in the battle against MS include new treatments to slow its progression.

Purpose To evaluate the financial impact of approving new drugs for the treatment of MS in the pharmacy department of a tertiary hospital.

Material and methods An observational retrospective study was conducted comparing data from April 2012 to March 2013 with data from April 2015 to March 2016. We analysed prescriptions of disease modifying therapies. The data collected were: number of patients, age, gender, total expenditure (TE) and percentage of expenditure per drug (%EPD). The data were analysed by statistical descriptions.

Results We reviewed the treatment of 735 patients in the period 2012–2013 and 774 patients in the period 2015–2016.

In the study, there were no differences between the two periods in terms of gender or age. The table shows that the total number of treated patients has increased. The variety of available therapies has grown. Consumption has escalated €970 413 (14.65%) in 3 years. It is remarkable that new drugs such as teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, peginterferon beta 1a and alemtuzumab have resulted in an expenditure of €766 686 (10.78%).

Conclusion The high cost of new therapies available and the increase in the number of patients can explain why consumption has increased by €970 413 (14.65%) in 3 years. Therefore, it is very important to use drugs in a rational way so that our health system is sustainable.

No conflict of interest