For Australians living with MS, access to the right treatment at the right time has made a profound difference to their lives, improving quality of life, reducing disability, keeping people in the workforce longer while saving government money.
That is why Australia MUST continue to provide access through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to the full range of clinically appropriate, high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).
And that’s the message we will be giving the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) when we attend a stakeholder meeting next week.
The consultation is part of PBAC’s rapid review of Relapsing Remitting MS medications, called by the Health Minister after the drastic price cuts to Ocrevus and Kesimpta and potential loss of these widely prescribed, high-efficacy DMTs was averted last month.
You can also give your views to the ‘rapid review’ via the Health Department’s consultation hub.
We encourage you to do so (you can comment from now until October 1).
Our delegation to the stakeholder meeting, which will include people living with MS, is determined to let the review know:
- MS is a highly individual disease. What works well for one person may not work as well for another, and treatment needs can change over time.
- One size does not fit all. Neurologists and people with MS need the flexibility to choose the therapy that is most appropriate for the circumstances.
- Early access to highly effective treatment matters. The 2025 treatment guidelines recognise high-efficacy therapies as an appropriate first-line approach for many.
- Starting highly effective treatment early can reduce the risk of disability progression.
- The Government should not put barriers in the way of this approach.
- Australia has built a strong MS treatment landscape. We should protect it and continue to give people with MS and their neurologists the choice they need to manage this complex disease throughout the course of a lifetime.
The ‘rapid review’ will lead to a report for the Health Minister, which is due in December.
