The costs of multiple sclerosis (MS) in China are not well known because of comparatively low prevalence rate and treatment complexity. OBJECTIVES: To assess the treatments and costs of MS in China from social perspective by surveying both patients and physicians. METHODS: Multi-center, questionnaire-based survey was conducted in major cities of China to collect health resource utilization, direct and indirect costs related to MS. An Excel-based model was developed to estimate the annual cost of MS in China by combining prevalence rate from systematic literature review, data from surveys and other published information. The costs of MS in China were estimated from patient and physician surveys separately and compared with each other. RESULTS: A total of 110 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and 5 physicians participated the survey. Patients (12.7% age ≤30; 55.4% age 30-50; and 31.9% age ≥50 years old) were assessed by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (36% mild; 51% moderate, and 13% sever). The total cost from patient survey was USD 18,566   (1 USD= 6.56 RMB, 2010-2011) (USD 13,265 direct cost and USD 5301 indirect cost) per person year.  Total direct cost from physician survey was USD 10,307 per year (USD 7,137 for medications). Annually total cost of MS in China, using prevalence data from an epidemiology study, was estimated to be USD 331.7 million(USD 245.2 million direct costs and USD 86.5 million indirect costs). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that MS imposes a considerable burden on Chinese patients, especially during disease diagnosis and relapse periods. Unlike western countries, few patients in China take Disease Modified Treatments (DMTs) because of the high out of pocket costs. The indirect costs of MS are significant and may increase in the near future, which will exacerbate the burden on individual patients.