Subcutaneous Ocrelizumab update.
From 1 December 2025, a new way of receiving ocrelizumab treatment will be available in Aotearoa New Zealand. Alongside the current intravenous (IV) infusion, people with MS will soon have the option of a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection. The subcutaneous formulation contains the same medication as the IV infusion but is delivered differently. For some, this […]
Multiple Sclerosis NZ Endorses MS Get a Head Start: A Game-Changer for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis
Change in exercise prescription for people with MS is overdue and Multiple Sclerosis NZ is proud to lead the way by endorsing the MS Get a Head Start (MS GHS) programmes. Why This Matters Research has made it clear: exercise isn’t just beneficial for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s disease-modifying. Yet 80% of people […]
Are All Kiwis Getting Fair Access to MS Treatments?
A new NZ study using the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), a secure national database linking health and census data, looked at real-world treatment patterns for over 5,300 people with MS. While some people do not qualify for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), the research found evidence of ethnic and socioeconomic inequities in access among those who do. […]
Subcutaneous Ocrelizumab Funded for Multiple Sclerosis
Pharmac have, today, announced they will fund subcutaneous ocrelizumab for multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis NZ and the wider MS community warmly welcome this landmark decision, bringing renewed hope to the lives of those affected by MS. We hope this decision is the first of many in improving patient experiences, access to treatments and system improvements. […]
Why Aren’t There More Treatments for Secondary Progressive MS?
One of the most common and deeply felt frustrations in the MS community is that most treatments are focused on people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), while those living with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) often feel left behind. It’s understandable to feel disappointed, angry, or even hopeless when you hear that a treatment isn’t available for […]
Ocrelizumab Subcut – Overcoming Barriers to Access – Pharmac Opens Consultation for Funding
After strongly advocating to Pharmac since July 2024, Multiple Sclerosis NZ welcomes the announcement today that Pharmac is opening public consultation for the funding of subcutaneous Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus). This funding comes as part of a multi-medicine deal between Pharmac and Roche. Ocrevus Subcutaneous (SC) is delivered by injection under the skin rather than by intravenous […]
Tolebrutinib – A New Era of MS Treatments Targeting Progression in Non-Relapsing MS
Tolebrutinib is the first and only disease modifying therapy (DMT) showing positive signs of slowing progression in non-relapsing secondary progressive MS (SPMS). While current DMTs focus on dampening the inflammatory aspects of MS, this significant breakthrough heralds a potential new era of therapies which look to target the underlying progression in MS. Currently in NZ, […]
Wellness Practices and Complimentary Therapies
Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash Symptom management is an important component of living well with MS. Wellness practices or complementary therapies, can often reduce life limiting symptoms such as pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness and tightening. Certain therapies might help people feel more in control of their MS or make them feel better overall, reducing […]
1News Report – Medsafe Approves 10 Minute Ocrevus Injection
Watch Graham Walker, person with MS, President of MS Taranaki and Co-Vice President of MSNZ discuss the life-changing news that Medsafe has approved the 10 minute Ocrevus injection, accompanied with comments from Amanda Rose, MSNZ National Manager on 1News, 29th April 2025. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YQitPAsR5A We encourage those with lived experience to provide their stories […]
Medsafe Approves 10 Minute Ocrevus Injection; TVNZ Breakfast Interview with Graham Walker
Watch Graham Walker, President of MS Taranaki and Co Vice-President of MSNZ, discuss the newly approved 10 minute Ocrevus injection with Jenny-May on TVNZ’s Breakfast show. Click here: https://youtu.be/powx9Ukm3Dw We encourage those with lived experience to provide their stories to us of barriers they experience accessing treatment. These will help to strengthen our message to Pharmac around […]