The licensing of &bgr;-interferons for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has created a dilemma for the UK National Health Service (NHS). There is now a therapy available for a disease where management has traditionally been limited to symptomatic treaments; however, it comes with a large price tag attached. At a time when rationing is becoming a reality in the NHS, how has the issue of interferon-&bgr; prescribing been handled and how are patients with MS faring? Delegates at a recent British Association of Pharmaceutical Physicians meeting*heard from representatives of 1 party involved in this debate - the pharmaceutical industry.