The tablet, cladribine, developed by Merck, requires just 20 days of treatment spread over four years, providing a convenient alternative to existing therapies that involve regular hospital infusions, frequent self-injections and extensive monitoring.

Professor James Palmer, NHS medical director for specialised commissioning, said: ‘The NHS is proud to be the first healthcare system in Europe to roll out this innovative ‘take at home' tablet widely for patients with active multiple sclerosis.

‘Broadening access to cladribine means thousands more patients will benefit from managing their treatment at home rather than regularly attending hospital appointments – as well giving women with MS who want to get pregnant more flexibility to do so around their treatment.

‘This decision will also significantly free up clinical time, helping clinicians see more patients and boosting NHS productivity. It's another clear example of the NHS's commitment to improving patient care through innovation.'

Approved today by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for patients with active relapsing-remitting MS, cladribine offers comparable clinical benefits to current treatments while significantly reducing hospital visits and clinical monitoring time.

Previously approved only for patients with more severe, highly active MS, today's NICE decision means cladribine is now available to a much wider group of patients.

The rollout is expected to save thousands of clinical hours each year, freeing up capacity within the NHS by reducing the need for hospital appointments.

It is estimated about 2,000 patients could be offered the treatment over the first three years.