Time is running out for MS sufferers to have their say on whether a revolutionary pill, trialled in Oxford, will be available on the NHS.

Fingolimod has been rejected by the Government’s drugs rationing body, Nice, because it is not deemed ‘cost effective’.

MS affects thousands of Oxfordshire people and is caused by the body’s immune system attacking the brain and spinal cord.

Sufferers of the disease now have until January 5 to have their say about the drug.

After a successful trial at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Fingolimod was licensed as a “second line” treatment for MS patients who had failed on other medication by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in April.

It costs about £19,000 a year, compared to about £14,000 for alternative treatments.

But Sir Andrew Dillon, chief executive of Nice, said the manufacturers had not proven it was cost effective.

He said: “It is important for people with multiple sclerosis to have access to different treatment options wherever possible, however these new treatments must represent value for money so that everyone can get the most out of the NHS.”

Every time an MS patient suffers a relapse, it means their immune system is being attacked.

This a sign their disease is progressing towards disability and most MS sufferers have to undergo twice-weekly injections to stop this from happening.

It had been hoped the Fingolimod pill, also known as Gilenya, would be a solution for patients who suffered relapses and were not seeing any benefit from injections.

The only other option available is for patients to undergo injecitons of a powerful drug, called Natalizumab, which can have serious side effects.

Matt Bateman, 36, from Blackbird Leys, Oxford, said he has been able to ‘get on with life’ since he started taking the drug in May 2009 as part of a clinical trial.

He said: “I’m disappointed.

“I’m still taking it as part of the trial, and its still working very effectively.

“But if Nice rejects it, I don’t know what I will do.”

Dr Jayne Spink, Director of policy and research at the support charity, the MS Society, said the decision would signal the end of the road for some sufferers.

She said: “This is incredibly disheartening news for people with MS and it will leave some people with no effective treatment option.

“We would like to see Gilenya freely available to all those that could benefit and remain hopeful that this will happen.”

But she encouraged the thousands of MS patients in Oxfordshire to let their views be known.

“This is not a final decision, so in the upcoming consultation period we would encourage people with MS to contact NICE with their views.”

To comment on the draft guidance contact Nice, on nice@nice.org.uk or by post National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, MidCity Place, 71 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6NA