Australians living with the chronic and often debilitating condition multiple sclerosis (MS) will soon feel significant financial relief, following the federal government’s decision to add several high-cost medicines to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Announcing the change, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the PBS listings reflect the government’s commitment to easing the cost of essential treatments.
“The Albanese Government is making medicines cheaper and helping people with MS maintain their quality of life,” he said in a press release. “This listing means tens of thousands of Australians can get the treatment they need faster and cheaper.”
Recent data released by MS Australia and the Menzies Institute for Medical Research found 37,756 Australians are currently living with MS, a 13.3 per cent increase since 2021.The economic impact now exceeds $3 billion annually, with the average annual cost of MS per person $79,581.
To help ease the financial burden, a new, easier-to-administer injection form of Ocrelizumab –previously only available as an infusion – will be accessible at the subsidised price from 1 January 2026. The PBS listing means eligible patients will pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or just $7.70 with a concession card.
Without it, people living with MS may pay more than $16,500 for a course of treatment.
What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering (myelin) around nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord. This leads to disruption in how signals travel through the nervous system, causing a wide array of symptoms.
Most people are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) – the most common form –where symptoms flare up and then ease, sometimes completely. Other forms of MS include secondary progressive MS and primary progressive MS, which tend to worsen over time.
The condition is lifelong and currently has no cure, but modern treatments can significantly reduce disease activity and help preserve long-term mobility, independence and overall quality of life.
What causes MS?
The exact cause remains unknown, but researchers agree MS is triggered by a mix of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. These may include a genetic predisposition, low vitamin D levels, smoking and certain viral exposures, including Epstein–Barr virus.
Importantly, MS is not contagious, and having a relative with MS does not mean a diagnosis is inevitable.
What are the signs and symptoms of MS?
MS can look very different from one person to another. Symptoms depend on which part of the central nervous system is affected and may come and go. Common symptoms include:
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in limbs
- Problems with coordination or walking
- Blurred or double vision
- Extreme fatigue
- Cognitive changes, including memory lapses or difficulty concentrating
- Bladder or bowel issues
- Muscle spasms or stiffness
- Changes in sensation or pain
For some, symptoms are mild and manageable but for others, they can be life changing. Early diagnosis remains key to slowing progression.
How is MS diagnosed?
Diagnosing MS can be complex, as symptoms overlap with many other conditions. A typical diagnostic process may include:
- MRI scans to detect areas of inflammation or nerve damage
- Neurological examination
- Blood tests to rule out other conditions
- A lumbar puncture (in some cases)
Most diagnoses occur between ages 20 and 40, although MS can be identified earlier or later in life. There is no cure, but a wide range of disease-modifying therapies can reduce flare-ups, ease symptoms and slow progression.
