Thank you! Ocrevus and Kesimpta will remain on the PBS.
Today is a great day for the MS community.
The Australian Government has confirmed that Ocrevus and Kesimpta will remain available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), meaning thousands of Australians living with MS can continue to access these life-changing treatments.
We thank Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler for his emphatic support throughout this process, and the members of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for their swift consideration and resolution of this issue.
Over the past two weeks, people living with MS, families, carers, clinicians, researchers and supporters came together to share their stories, contact local MPs and help raise awareness of what these medicines mean for people’s lives.
Thank you.
Your stories reminded decision-makers that access to treatment is about people. It’s about staying well, remaining independent, continuing work or study, caring for family, and planning for the future with confidence.
Thank you to the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists and to MS Nurses Australasia. And a special thank you to MS Australia’s Lived Experience Expert Panel (LEEP) members- for so generously sharing your stories, speaking with the media and rallying support throughout this process.
MS Australia welcomes the Government’s announcement of a review of MS medicines and the opportunity to contribute. We will continue working with government, clinicians and the MS community to help ensure decisions about MS medicines reflect the latest evidence and the needs of people living with MS, and secure access to a broad range of high-efficacy MS treatments.
To everyone who stood with us and shared your voice, once again, thank you.
Rohan Greenland
CEO
MS Australia
