OBJECTIVES: To assess in short-term changes in employment status in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients are treated with either oral, once daily placebo, once daily Laquinimod 0.6mg or weekly intramuscular (IM) injections of Interferon beta 1a. METHODS: Patients residing within the United States (n = xx) with RRMS and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) < 5.5 were randomly assigned to receive Laquinimod 0.6mg once daily, oral placebo once daily or Interferon β-1a 30mcg intramuscular injection weekly in the randomized, placebo controlled BRAVO trial. U.S. patients completed the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Scale-General Health (WPAI-GH) at baseline and every three months thereafter. At study completion, patient’s transitions from 1) unemployment to employment; 2) no transition in employment; and 3) transitions from unemployment to employment were assessed using univariate statistics. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients residing in the United States completed the WPAI-GH with comparable study populations assigned to each of the three study arms. Statistically significant differences were observed across the three treatment arms when consideration was given to changes in employment status (p <0.001). Seventy-seven percent of patients treated with Avonex reported no change in employment status during the course of the study while 81% of patients in each of the Laquinimod or placebo arm reported no change. Patients enrolled in the Avonex group report the greatest transition from employment to unemployment (18%) compared to Laquinimod (9%) and placebo (6%).    CONCLUSIONS: Managed care pharmacists consider multiple factors when making formulary decisions. While safety and efficacy are the primary considerations, other factors that influence patients and employers are frequently evaluated. While exploratory in nature, variations in changes in employment status may occur in RRMS patients treated with alternative disease modifying therapies. These findings, however, are preliminary in nature and warrant future consideration through additional research.