- Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus®) has been subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people with relapsing remitting MS since 1 February 2018, but only in the drip (intravenous) form.
- A new form of ocrelizumab for subcutaneous injection (injection under the skin), is now listed on the PBS.
- Subcutaneous ocrelizumab may be a more convenient treatment option for people with relapsing remitting MS, especially for those who find it difficult to attend infusion centres to receive the intravenous form.
The Federal Government has announced that subcutaneous ocrelizumab (Ocrevus®) has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for adults with relapsing remitting MS. Previously, ocrelizumab was listed on the PBS in its drip (intravenous) form only.
Intravenous ocrelizumab was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in July 2017 and subcutaneous ocrelizumab was approved in March 2025, for treating relapsing remitting and primary progressive MS. While the TGA approves the use of medications in Australia, it is up to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to recommend whether it should be listed on the PBS to make it affordable to all Australians.
Intravenous ocrelizumab was listed on the PBS for relapsing remitting MS on 1 February 2018. Until now, the subcutaneous form, where ocrelizumab is given as an injection under the skin, was not subsidised by the PBS. This meant subcutaneous ocrelizumab was a more expensive treatment option for people with MS.
The PBAC considers many factors when making recommendations. These include the effectiveness and cost of a treatment relative to other available medicines and the cost of a new listing to the government. Once a medication receives a positive recommendation from the PBAC, it is submitted to the Federal Government for final approval.
MS Australia strongly advocated to the PBAC for subcutaneous ocrelizumab to be listed on the PBS in our submission here.
Why is subcutaneous ocrelizumab different? What do clinical trials show?
Ocrelizumab in a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20 protein on B cells, a type of immune cell that plays a role in MS disease processes. By targeting the CD20 protein, ocrelizumab reduces the number of B cells circulating in the body and reduces relapse rates and disability progression.
Both intravenous and subcutaneous ocrelizumab are given every six months. Intravenous ocrelizumab is delivered by drip and takes up to three hours, while subcutaneous ocrelizumab is injected under the skin and takes about 10 minutes.
A recent clinical trial (OCARINA II) showed that the two forms of ocrelizumab were similarly effective and had similar safety profiles, though the injections could cause some skin reactions. The trial also found that four out of five people who tried both treatment methods liked the subcutaneous option more.
What does this mean?
With subcutaneous ocrelizumab, people can visit their local healthcare professional for their six-monthly treatment. This is especially helpful for those who live far away from infusion centres. Together with the decision by the Federal Government, this makes subcutaneous ocrelizumab, an accessible and convenient treatment option, more affordable, especially for those living in rural or remote areas.
MS Australia continues to advocate for overall changes that will improve the lives of people with MS and MS-related disorders. We remain committed to ensuring that all Australians living with MS and MS-related disorders can access affordable MS care.
