On Thursday 16 July, the Australian Government announced that Ocrevus and Kesimpta would remain on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
As reported that evening in The Australian, the Health Minister, Mark Butler repeated his earlier comments. “I am really pleased that the experts at PBAC (Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee) have reviewed this quickly and I welcome their advice. My position on this has always been very clear. I want to see the drugs remain on the PBS. I am very clear about the difference they are making to Australians living with MS.”
You can read MS Australia’s Statement in response to the Government’s announcement here.
The Government also announced a rapid review of MS medicines, following advice from PBAC.
While the terms of reference for the review are still being finalised, MS Australia welcomes the review, and would expect to be invited to participate in the review process.
This will provide MS Australia the opportunity to advocate for continued affordable access to effective MS treatments and ensure the interests of people living with MS are represented.
Rapid review of MS medicines: What we want to see
MS Australia will do everything to ensure that processes for determining and maintaining PBS access for MS medications are improved, that the treatment needs of people living with MS are better understood, and that access to life-changing medications are not threatened.
Our message to government is that this review must:
- recognise that MS is a complex and highly individual disease, and no single therapy is right for every person or at every stage of disease.
- prioritise first-line access to a broad range of PBS-listed treatments, including high-efficacy treatments, as essential to giving each person the best chance of maintaining their health, independence, workforce participation and quality of life.
- ensure that decisions regarding continued access to MS medications on the PBS today and into the future, are informed by the evidence, the science, and the clinical needs of the people dependant on these medications.
MS Australia will continue to work constructively with government, clinicians, researchers, industry and the MS community to ensure the PBS remains responsive to the needs of people living with MS and other complex neurological conditions.
And we’ll continue to keep the MS community informed as more information about the review becomes available.
