A study by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Program on the Pharmaceutical Industry (POPI) shows a direct link between out-of-pocket costs to MS patients in the form of health plan co-payments and utilization. When a patient's financial liability rises, the patient is less apt to use a drug, even if it is effective. When insurance policies are tailored to influence the use of disease modification drugs through reduced price-related barriers to good treatment, better quality of care or quality of life can be the result. In MS, patients lose myelin, a fatty tissue that surrounds and protects axons (elongated extensions of nerve cells). Myelin also allows nerve fibers to work by speeding up conduction of nerve signals from point to point. Scientists have developed effective drugs (sometimes called the ABC treatments) that work by regulating aspects of the immune system. In addition, studies of the efficacy of beta interferons in relapsing-remitting and also secondary-progressive MS indicate that the drug is very effective in reduction of relapses and the difficulties of the disease. Costs are an issue for newer, effective drugs with few side effects, but cost barriers may also increase overall treatment costs. Another issue is the fact that more than 305 days often passes between an MS diagnosis and the use of the first prescription for an effective drug. That wait also increases indirect costs. If insurance companies reduce co-payments to promote a higher utilization rate of MS disease modification drugs, MS patients would benefit, and the utilization of other healthcare services could be reduced, which would reduce the latter and also possibly reduce costs related to MS. Stephen Reingold, National Multiple Sclerosis Society VP of research programs, says major advances are predictable for the next twenty years, including medications that prevent progression and repair damaged tissue.