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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ocrelizumab Subcut Receives Medsafe Registration as Pressure Mounts to Fund Wider Range of MS Treatment Options
Photo by Kristine Wook, Unsplash. Medsafe have approved the registration of Ocrevus ® Subcutaneous (SC) (ocrelizumab and hyaluronidase) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). The announcement on 24th April is welcomed by Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand. “The registration of Ocrevus SC is […]
MSNZ President Calls for Pharmac to Fund 4 New Drugs on TVNZ Breakfast
Watch MSNZ President, Neil Woodhams, on TVNZ Breakfast today where he calls for Pharmac to fund 4 new drugs for MS treatment. Neil Woodhams attended this interview ahead of us appearing at Parliament later this morning, with the Bangers to Bluff Car Rally. After meeting on the steps of Parliament to raise awareness of the event […]
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 […]
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 – […]