MS Brain Health and the Hidden Symptoms

Learn of MSNZ’s latest developments and hear from guest speaker German Neurologist, Dr Matthias Grothe, on the impacts of hidden symptoms of MS, and what we can do to alleviate them.
This webinar will cover:
How many people are diagnosed with MS in NZ?
The 2006 MS Prevalence Study identified 2917 people diagnosed with MS in New Zealand. Researchers at the Compass Campus at the University of Auckland recently used the Integrated Data Infrastructure to identify people with MS in New Zealand. MSNZ President Neil Woodhams will share the outcomes of this insightful research, how it will impact our work and what else MSNZ is hoping to uncover through the data.
A new way of funding medicines
While Pharmac are renowned for securing some of the lowest medicine costs globally, this comes at a cost to patients. MSNZ Committee Member Jan Campbell will share MSNZs views on a report Commissioned by the Society, ‘The Cost Effectiveness of Ocrelizumab for Treatment of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in Aotearoa New Zealand from Healthcare and Societal Perspectives’. This report provides strong evidence to support the case for Pharmac to base funding decisions not solely on the cost of a drug or medical device, but on the wider fiscal impact of funding it, or not, on New Zealand society as a whole.
The report was undertaken by health economist Dr Richard Milne and colleagues in New Zealand, Tasmania and Singapore, as an economic case study evaluation of ocrelizumab for Primary Progressive form of multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Ocrelizumab for PPMS was approved for funding in October 2023.
Cognition, depression and fatigue: What do we know about these "hidden" symptoms in multiple sclerosis, and what can we do to alleviate them?"
Dr Matthias Grothe will cover the frequency of cognitive impairments, depression and fatigue in MS, their impact on the everyday life and what we know about treatment options.