Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR), makers of Ampyra® (dalfampridine), today announced the launch of Ampyra Dialogues, the first-ever online talk show where patients and medical experts talk about how walking problems affect people living with MS. The first edition of Ampyra Dialogues debuts on World MS Day, Wednesday, May 30, 2012.
Patient advocate Kristie Salerno Kent, an entertainer and educator who has worked to help people across the U.S. to understand the impact of MS, will host the series. In the debut of Ampyra Dialogues, Kristie interviews an MS patient and her family about their experience living with MS and how walking problems have affected each of them. In future editions Kristie will interview medical experts who specialize in treating people living with MS, including Ben Thrower, M.D., and Tracy Walker, NP, WOC, both from the MS Institute at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA, one of the nation's leading centers for the treatment of MS.
"I have spoken with hundreds of people living with MS all around the world, and for so many of them, they simply do not know that a cane or walker is not necessarily their only option if they have a walking problem," said Kristie. "Through Ampyra Dialogues, I want to use real life experiences from both patients and medical experts to show more people living with MS that you can do something about walking problems. I want this program to inspire people to talk to their doctor about walking."
Ampyra Dialogues is just one of many educational initiatives available on Ampyra Journeys, the website that features information and patient perspectives on walking problems associated with MS. The site also features a guide specifically for people living with MS on speaking to their doctor about walking problems. Ampyra is an oral medication developed by Acorda Therapeutics and approved by the FDA in 2010 as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis. This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.
"Walking impairment is one of the most common and debilitating effects of MS, and often is not addressed optimally. The Ampyra Dialogues program will help people living with MS obtain the information and encouragement they need to address their walking issues as effectively as possible," said Ron Cohen, MD, president and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. "We are launching this program on World MS Day to underscore the importance for people living with MS, their care partners and healthcare providers to engage in this important discussion."
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