Today, we explore the new consensus recommendations to guide best practice management of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Australia and New Zealand, helping health professionals in these countries navigate a vastly changed and expanded MS treatment landscape.
As reported earlier this year, this new resource aims to help people living with MS and their care teams make informed decisions about treatment throughout the different life stages of MS. Led by Monash University, it was developed by a working group of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists, including MS Australia and our Member Organisation, MS Plus.
The lead authors join us to unpack the resource and share key takeaways, including the principles of starting therapy, treatment selection, pre-treatment tests, and monitoring MS activity during treatment. Additionally, indications for switching and the literature around discontinuing therapy, safety measures, and MS treatment in circumstances like pregnancy, MS relapses, and symptoms. Also, aspects of MS management beyond medication treatments, including allied health professionals and lifestyle factors like a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Also on the panel, a person with MS shares aspects of her lived experience, treatment journey, and interaction with the new consensus recommendations.
This concise resource to optimise patient care is available from the Medical Journal of Australia website as Part 1 and Part 2. A plain language summary and an infographic are also available. Our panel encourages MS community members in Australia and New Zealand to read and share the new consensus recommendations with their healthcare teams.
The resource supplements MS Australia's new Lifestyle Guides for people living with MS and health professionals, launched on World MS Day 2025.
Host: Dr Julia Morahan - Deputy CEO, MS Australia
Guests: