Funding for two MS drugs promises relief for thousands

Rachel Lugg, here with daughter Mikalah, 3, says Tysabri has changed her life. Photo / Martin Hunter

Thousands of New Zealand multiple sclerosis sufferers will gain a greater sense of normality with the funding of two revolutionary drug treatments from tomorrow.

New Zealand's drug-buying agency Pharmac will fully reimburse the treatments, which previously cost up to $30,000 a year but have been free in Australia for eight years.

Natalizumab (trading as Tysabri) and fingolimod (Gilenya) will immediately help hundreds of MS patients diagnosed with relapsing remitting forms of the debilitating and incurable condition.

New Zealand has been slow to catch up with the rise in effective MS treatments over the past decade.

Christchurch DHB neurologist Dr Deborah Mason blames cost for the delays.

"It's been very frustrating, and quite heartbreaking at times, to know that these drugs have been available, but being unable to offer them to people in situations where you know it would really benefit them."

About half the patients with relapsing remitting MS go on to get secondary progressive MS, where the disease steadily worsens, within 20 years. The new treatments would help about 80 per cent of those with the relapsing remitting form.

The two drugs have been shown to modify the long-term outcome for patients and help them live productive, healthy and working lives.

After years of campaigning, the Multiple Sclerosis Society said it was delighted the potentially life-changing drugs were finally available here.

Christchurch sales assistant Rachel Lugg said Tysabri had changed her life. She was diagnosed with relapsing multiple sclerosis two years ago and feared for her job and ability to be an active mother.

The 37-year-old was treated with methylprednisolone - the main drug then available - but had repeated relapses.

It wasn't until a neurologist suggested she trial Tysabri that her life changed. For the past 18 months she had taken an infusion of it six-weekly. "I'm a changed woman."

From tomorrow, Pharmac will also help hospitals fight "superbugs" (multi-resistant bacterial infections) with the funding of a new antibiotic, ceftaroline fosamil.NZME.