'Previously unaffordable' MS drug to be listed on PBS

Scott Morrison, whose brother-in-law has multiple sclerosis, has announced that a drug that improves the lives of MS patients will be added to the PBS.

File Source: AAP

Thousands of Australians with multiple sclerosis will save more than $50,000 a year with the listing of a new medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt on Sunday announced the addition of Mavenclad to the PBS for sufferers of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

With the PBS listing, patients will pay just $40.30 a script or $6.50 if they are concessional patients.

"While there is currently no cure for MS, by listing this key medicine on the PBS patients are set to face fewer relapses, less disease activity in the brain and less progression of disability," a joint media release from Mr Morrison and Mr Hunt said.

The plight of MS patients is close to the prime minister's heart as his brother-in-law Gary Warren has the autoimmune disease.

"I've seen firsthand the impact MS can have which is why being able to list a medicine like Mavenclad is so important," he said.