% of people who can afford each DMT in the country of Interest World Bank category Upper middle income WHO region Western Pacific Global results
Estimated % of people with MS who can afford each DMT
Alemtuzumab data not known 45% 57% 65%
Azathioprine data not known 87% 61% 84%
Cladribine (subcutaneous or IV) data not known 0% 54% 40%
Cladribine (oral) data not known 23% 57% 70%
Cyclophosphamide data not known 46% 61% 77%
Dimethyl fumarate data not known 82% 96% 90%
Diroximel fumarate data not known 0% 54% 46%
Fingolimod data not known 61% 97% 86%
Fludarabine data not known 0% 54% 14%
Glatiramer acetate data not known 90% 96% 83%
Interferon-beta 1a data not known 97% 98% 86%
Interferon-beta 1b data not known 95% 97% 85%
IV Immunoglobulin (IVIG) data not known 56% 57% 62%
Leflunomide data not known 6% 55% 14%
Methotrexate data not known 35% 61% 70%
Minocycline data not known 3% 56% 11%
Mitoxantrone data not known 45% 59% 73%
Monomethyl fumarate data not known 0% 0% 1%
Mycophenolate mofetil data not known 15% 60% 31%
Natalizumab data not known 58% 96% 77%
Ocrelizumab data not known 34% 56% 76%
Ofatumumab data not known 8% 93% 60%
Ozanimod data not known 6% 54% 45%
Peginterferon-beta 1a data not known 53% 57% 70%
Ponesimod data not known 0% 0% 42%
Rituximab data not known 43% 59% 81%
Siponimod data not known 11% 93% 57%
Teriflunomide data not known 84% 58% 88%

Please note only 61 countries were able to provide estimates for this question and the data is highly variable within World Bank categories and WHO regions, with many outliers.

What is the Atlas of MS?

The Atlas of MS is the most comprehensive worldwide study of the epidemiology of MS and the global availability and accessibility of resources for people with MS.

2020-22 worldwide study

The data shows that the number of people with MS across the globe has increased from 2.3 million in 2013 to 2.8 million in 2020 and 2.9 in 2023. It highlights the many barriers and inequalities that people with MS face in accessing diagnosis, treatment and care. Download the reports to see the full findings and recommendations or download the full dataset if you would like to conduct your own analysis comparing multiple countries.

Powerful tool for change

The information in the Atlas of MS can be a powerful advocacy tool, shining a spotlight on MS and raising awareness of the lack of adequate resources available to diagnose, inform, treat, rehabilitate and support people with MS worldwide.

With thanks to…

Worldwide collaboration

The Atlas of MS relies on data supplied by MS organisations from around the world. We are most grateful to the country coordinators and their colleagues for taking the time and effort to gather the information and data.

See contributor list

This 3rd edition of the Atlas of MS shines a spotlight on the barriers to accessing diagnosis and disease modifying therapies around the world. These issues are particularly evident in low and middle income countries but high income countries are not exempt. This report highlights the need for major policy changes to ensure early diagnosis and improved access to a range of treatments, to guarantee the best possible outcomes for people with MS. Information from the Atlas of MS should be used to guide policy-makers, health planners and specialists, in order to close the gaps in care, decrease inequities globally and provide a better future for people with MS and their families.

Professor Mai Sharawy
Professor of Neuro-Ophthalmology at Cairo University – Egypt.
Founder of MS Care and Chair of MSIF Board