Ocrevus Subcutaneous: Valuing the benefits to people living with MS, whānau caregivers, and the health system
Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ) welcomes this timely and evidence-based report from NZIER, commissioned by Roche Products NZ. Representing 18 member organisations and over 5,000 New Zealanders living with MS, along with their whānau, carers and supporters, MSNZ has long advocated for equitable access to life-changing treatments. Over the past decade, therapies like ocrelizumab have […]
Our Focus and What’s Next?
Over the last decade, we have seen the needs of people with MS are changing. This is largely due to the availability of higher efficacy DMTs in NZ, and ever-advancing research is also telling us even more about the importance of practical lifestyle modifications to improve health outcomes. As a result, people are continuing to […]
Press Release: Access to Life-Changing MS Drug “snatched away” Due to Staff Shortages
A celebrated Pharmac decision late last year to fund a vital drug for many Multiple Sclerosis patients has fallen flat – with dozens being turned away for treatment due to severely stretched resources across a number of services. Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ) says one particular Health New Zealand (HNZ) region – Canterbury Waitaha – […]
Share Your Story – Sativex and Medical Cannabis
Sativex, or Cannabidiol with tetrahydrocannabinol, is an add-on treatment approved by Medsafe for symptom improvement in patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS). It is indicated for people who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity related symptoms during an initial trial […]
Together we did it!!!
Multiple Sclerosis NZ is pleased to see the announcement this week from Pharmac to provide access to funded MS treatments earlier than ever before. The new criteria will no longer require those clinically diagnosed with MS to wait for a second episode of symptoms, attack or relapse, before they can begin treatment. These changes […]