Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and often disabling disease that can affect mobility, vision, energy, and thinking. Often diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, MS is a lifelong, unpredictable condition with symptoms that can change over time. For many people living with MS, care needs extend beyond the doctor’s office, requiring day-to-day monitoring and management of symptoms and treatment. Given the progressive nature of the disease, reliable support between visits is an essential part of care.
That’s where a specialty pharmacy equipped to surround patients with expert support can make a meaningful difference.
Accredo Specialty Pharmacy delivers specialty care through 15 condition-specific Therapeutic Resource Centers® (TRCs) – including the Neurology & MS Therapeutic Resource Center. A team of specialized nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and patient care advocates bring condition-specific expertise and support patients throughout every step of their care journey.
The goal is to reduce potential barriers to starting and staying on therapy while also supporting better health outcomes and quality of life – so patients spend less time managing logistics and more time on their day-to-day lives.
Comprehensive support across the MS care journey
Therapies for MS include oral medications, injections, and infusions, each with their own handling requirements, administration needs, monitoring requirements, and day-to-day practical considerations.
Accredo’s Neurology & MS TRC supports patients throughout their care journey, from help with navigating coverage and financial assistance options to coordinating medication delivery and ongoing clinical support. Care team members check in regularly and are available to help if needs arise, whether that’s navigating a side effect, adjusting to a therapy, or addressing changes in coverage or access. This support helps patients start therapy sooner and stay on treatment over time.
Meet Kenya, an Accredo patient who is living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Watch the video to learn more about her journey of managing her condition with the support of Accredo Specialty Pharmacy.
Built-in behavioral health and social support
Because MS is a lifelong condition that is often diagnosed when people are in the prime of adulthood, support needs frequently extend beyond medication to include emotional health and day-to-day practical challenges. Over time, the physical and emotional impact of MS, layered on top of everyday life stressors, can take a real toll.
Depression affects people living with MS at higher rates than the general population, with estimates suggesting approximately 50% of people with MS experiencing depression at some point in their lifetime. Fatigue and strain don’t always show up in obvious ways. Sometimes they surface quietly as missed calls, delayed refills, or less engagement with care – signals that can lead to interruption in treatment or worsening health if they go unaddressed.
Accredo’s Neurology & MS TRC is designed to identify these risks early and connect patients to the right support, helping therapy stay on track and ensuring patients have access to the resources they need.
- Addressing mental health as part of MS care: Accredo’s Neurology & MS TRC integrates depression screening as a routine part of every patient’s care. When screening suggests a need for support, the team gets patients connected to behavioral health and social work resources.
- Helping navigate everyday challenges that affect care: Accredo social workers help patients navigate everyday challenges that affect their ability to stay engaged in care: changes in support systems, transportation challenges, food or financial strain, and caregiver stress. They help identify local resources and connect patients to community and support services when additional help is needed.
“For people living with MS, it’s not just the symptoms. They’re often balancing work, family, and everything else life brings," said Gail Bridges, PharmD, senior director of Specialty Clinical Programs at Accredo Specialty Pharmacy. "Many people do it beautifully, but MS can be unpredictable, and a tough day, a medication issue, or overwhelming stress can quickly make someone feel stuck. Accredo is a steady, reliable resource so patients don’t have to navigate those moments alone.”
A model built for the modern MS journey
For people living with MS, fewer delays and fewer gaps can mean steadier care, better outcomes, and fewer setbacks. Accredo’s Neurology & MS TRC helps patients get started, stay on track, and navigate barriers, so treatment plans translate into consistent, real-world care.
Explore related insights: Specialty pipeline perspectives: Meeting the needs of patients with diverse neurological conditions
