First medication for SPMS listed on PBS

Multiple sclerosis

30 Oct 2020

Siponimod (Mayzent) will be listed on the PBS from 1 November for the treatment of patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

The oral treatment, which would otherwise cost $25,000 per year, is in the same class as fingolimod, and is the only one approved specifically to treat SPMS in Australia

The listing follows a review by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) at its September meeting, which recommended the listing of siponimod for patients with secondary progressive MS who are ambulant (with or without support).

“In making this recommendation, the PBAC noted the high clinical need for effective treatments for patients with progressive forms of relapse onset MS and for patients with greater accumulated disability,” it said.

Siponimod was approved by the TGA in 2019 based on the EXPAND Phase III study in people with SPMS, which showed significant reduction in the risk of disease progression and significant favourable outcomes in cognition, physical ability and MRI disease activity.

The listing was welcomed by MS Research Australia, which said it was a landmark decision as the first treatment to be subsidised for use in secondary progressive MS.

“This is wonderful news for Australians living with secondary progressive MS”, said Dr Julia Morahan, Head of Research at MSRA.

“This is a significant milestone in the treatment of this form of MS for Australians and we welcome the inclusion of Mayzent on the PBS.”

Already a member?

Login to keep reading.

OR
Email me a login link