Australia boosts MND support with $2.9m investment and new PBS listing

Around 370 Australians are expected to benefit from the listing each year.

The Australian government has announced an additional $2.9m (A$4.5m) investment to support motor neurone disease (MND) research and treatment, along with the listing of a new medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The funding will assist Australian of the Year Neale Daniher AO and FightMND in ongoing efforts to develop effective treatments and pursue a cure for the disease.

Meanwhile, Edaravone (Radicava®), a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—the most common form of MND—is now listed on the PBS.

Approximately 370 Australians are expected to benefit from the listing each year. Without the subsidy, patients could face out-of-pocket costs of more than $31,161 (A$48,000) per course of treatment, the government said.

Under the PBS, eligible patients will now pay no more than $20.51 (A$31.60) per script, or $5 (A$7.70) with a concession card.

From 1 January 2026, the maximum general co-payment will fall to $16.23 (A$25) per script under the government’s pricing policy.

A$1 = $0.65