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 […]
Are you on an Infusion Treatment?
At MSNZ we would like to understand more about patient experiences with infusion treatments. The first line Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) options we have been successful in advocating for in NZ are considered some of the best in the world. Due to the availability of these treatments and adopting healthy lifestyle recommendations, people are reportedly […]
World Health Organisation adds three Disease Modifying Therapies for MS onto Essential Medicine List
Image: myriam-zilles-unsplash Today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) added three Disease Modifying Treatments (DMTs) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) onto its Essential Medicines List for the first time. Addressing the global MS movement, Prof Mai Sharawy, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), highlights the positive impact of the WHO’s decision […]
Addressing the unmet need
Currently, only approximately 1900 of the over 4130 New Zealanders diagnosed with MS are able to access funded Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs). In particular, those with progressive forms of MS, Secondary (SPMS) and Primary Progressive MS (PPMS), have extremely limited access options. While not explicit in the DMT criteria wording, changes advocated for by MSNZ […]
Media Release – Kiwis with MS ‘light years’ behind Aussie patients in treatment access and quality of life – study.
Media Release: 14 September 2021 (For Immediate Release) A new trans-Tasman study has highlighted alarming health inequities between New Zealand patients living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their Australian counterparts — adding fuel to the ongoing fight for Pharmac to “do the right thing” and increase access to drug treatments here. “We’ve known for many […]
Ethical use of Off-label disease-modifying therapies used in MS
The MS International Federation’s Atlas of MS showed that off-label disease-modifying therapies are used in at least 89 countries. This highlights the need for transparent evidence-based guidelines to support clinical decision-making, pharmaceutical policies and reimbursement decisions. Because there has been much debate about this, MSIF decided one of the first steps had to be a […]
Special Authority Criteria Amendment for DMTs
Multiple Sclerosis NZ received several reports from concerned patients regarding the ambiguity of the Special Authority Criteria for DMTs. With the support of Dr John Mottershead, Pharmac were approached for clarification. Concern centred around whether bilateral aids qualify for use for the 100m walk for treatment renewal and qualification. Pharmac have made the following amendment […]