Policy Work

The European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) boasts a strong track record of collaboration with EU institutions. 

Policymakers recognise EMSP as a worthy representative of the more than 1,2 million people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Europe.

Find more information on who we are and what we do here.

Learn more about multiple sclerosis here.

Support

• In May 2015, MEP Adam Kosa – EU’s first deaf Member of Parliament – showed his resolve in helping improve the quality of life for people with MS:

• EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis also made his support known with a special message for EMSP’s 2015 Spring Conference:

“EMSP is doing a fine job in finding long-term solutions in areas that determine the quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis.”

Related links

EMSP’s main action areas are laid out in our Code of Good Practice in MS, updated in 2014.

Landmarks

• 2003 – The European Parliament adopted a Resolution on the effects of the discriminatory treatment of people living with MS in the EU. The petition behind this Resolution was brought before the European Parliament by the late MEP Uma Aaltonen, who also lived with MS. EMSP was one of the main actors involved.
• 2005 – In order to keep the momentum of the 2003 breakthrough, EMSP published its first version of the EU Code of Good Practice in MS. The document was relaunched in 2014 under the title ‘Defeating MS Together’
• 2012 – EMSP organised an awareness-raising photo exhibition in the European Parliament. The photo panels displayed are part of our Under Pressure project which highlights health inequalities across Europe. EMSP asked the European Parliament to reaffirm its commitment to the wellbeing of people with MS by pushing for a Written Declaration on multiple sclerosis. The document was signed by over 400 MEPs.
• 2013 – MEP Angelika Werthmann organised a debate on Neurodegenerative Diseases in the Workplace. EMSP supported the event alongside Alzheimer’s Europe (AE) and the European Parkinson’s Diseases Association (EPDA). Another Written Declaration bid followed, signed by over 150 MEPs.
• 2015 – With support from MEPs Adam Kosa, Rosa Estaras-Ferragut and Jeroen Lenaers, EMSP presented and launched the European Employment Pact for people with MS and other neurodegenerative diseases, at an event in the European Parliment.
• 2020 – With support from MEP Tilly Metz – also the President of the MS Society of Luxembourg – the key highlights of the latest MS Barometer were launched at a virtual event in December 2020 on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

European Patient Voice

EMSP speaks with one voice on behalf of more than 1,2 million people living with MS in Europe.

We also continue to work closely with our partners representing other disease areas. Among them: the European Patient Forum (EPF), the European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA) and the European Brain Council (EBC).