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Bill is criticised over 'MS drug' The Bill criticised over MS plot
(about 8 hours later)
ITV1 drama The Bill has been criticised as "grossly irresponsible" for making up the name of a drug to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) in a recent programme.ITV1 drama The Bill has been criticised as "grossly irresponsible" for making up the name of a drug to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) in a recent programme.
The episode, broadcast on Wednesday, featured an MS patient being told about a fictional drug, Plavitron, which could alleviate MS symptoms.The episode, broadcast on Wednesday, featured an MS patient being told about a fictional drug, Plavitron, which could alleviate MS symptoms.
"It was grossly irresponsible of The Bill to make up a drug," said MS Society spokesman Chris Bentley."It was grossly irresponsible of The Bill to make up a drug," said MS Society spokesman Chris Bentley.
ITV said it believed it had "told the story responsibly and sensitively".ITV said it believed it had "told the story responsibly and sensitively".
There are few effective treatments for MS and any mention of a new drug generates a lot of hope and excitement in people living with and affected by the condition Chris BentleyMS SocietyThere are few effective treatments for MS and any mention of a new drug generates a lot of hope and excitement in people living with and affected by the condition Chris BentleyMS Society
"We researched both the condition and possible treatments - existing and proposed - before and during the writing process," an ITV spokeswoman said."We researched both the condition and possible treatments - existing and proposed - before and during the writing process," an ITV spokeswoman said.
She added: "It was certainly not our intention to offend or mislead."She added: "It was certainly not our intention to offend or mislead."
Fictional places, names and products were featured in storylines "often for legal reasons", she said.Fictional places, names and products were featured in storylines "often for legal reasons", she said.
Mr Bentley said the MS Society's helpline had received a number of calls from people wanting to know more about Plavitron only to be told it did not exist.Mr Bentley said the MS Society's helpline had received a number of calls from people wanting to know more about Plavitron only to be told it did not exist.
"There are few effective treatments for MS and any mention of a new drug generates a lot of hope and excitement in people living with and affected by the condition," said Mr Bentley."There are few effective treatments for MS and any mention of a new drug generates a lot of hope and excitement in people living with and affected by the condition," said Mr Bentley.
"People with MS have a tough enough time as it is without being misled over treatments," he added."People with MS have a tough enough time as it is without being misled over treatments," he added.
About 85,000 people in the UK have MS, a degenerative disease of the central nervous system.About 85,000 people in the UK have MS, a degenerative disease of the central nervous system.