The Multiple Sclerosis Society has blasted ITV drama, The Bill today for making up a fake MS drug in a recent show.

The show which aired 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.

ITV said it believed it had “told the story responsibly and sensitively”.

“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.”

“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.