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 may offer greater convenience, with shorter administration times and no need for an IV line.
If you are currently receiving ocrelizumab via IV infusion, you may wish to consider whether the new subcutaneous option could suit your lifestyle and preferences, or whether you would prefer to continue with IV infusions.
For people not currently on ocrelizumab but in the process of exploring treatment options you can discuss with your MS health care professional potential benefits and considerations to help you understand where this treatment may fit within your overall MS management plan. Eligibility for subcutaneous ocrelizumab is the same as current MS disease modifying therapy.
We encourage you to discuss your options with your MS nurse, GP, or your Regional MS Society, who can help answer questions and support you to make the choice that best fits your needs.
Behind the scenes, work is underway to ensure the safe and smooth introduction of this new formulation, including planning for how it will be administered across services. To help avoid overwhelming clinical teams during this transition, if your next infusion is not due this year, please consider booking your discussion or review appointment closer to your infusion date. This will ensure staff can manage the change effectively and provide you with the right support at the right time.
In the meantime, visit getonwithlife.co.nz for more information about Ocrevus, and read more in our news.