Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. announced the availability of OCREVUS® in Malaysia, a twice-yearly convenient dosing option for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).
Media Launch of OCREVUS® - (L:R)
Dr. Fariz Abdul Rani, Country Disease Area Lead for Neuroscience and Rare Disease, Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.;
Dr. Chey Shin Yee, Consultant Neurologist;
Dr. Low Soon Chai, Consultant Neurologist;
En. Rizal Aminuddin, President of Multiple Sclerosis Society of Malaysia (MSSM).
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) which control all bodily functions. MS damages the coating that protects the nerves or known as myelin. This loss of myelin or demyelination disrupts the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain1.
As a result, people with MS can experience a varying range of symptoms. Rarely are two patients’ symptoms alike and symptoms can range from mild to debilitating. Symptoms can include blurred vision, dizziness, fatigue, numbness and tingling, muscle spasm, stiffness and limb weakness, mobility issues, speech difficulties, vertigo, pain,bowel or bladder problems and difficulty in swallowing1.
As of 2020, MS affects 2.8 million people worldwide2. This equates to 1 in 3,000 people in the world living with MS1. A higher prevalence is recorded in North America, Europe, and parts of Australia with as many as 1 in every 300 people having MS1.
Although the prevalence of MS is lower in Asia1, symptoms suffered by patients are no less severe than those in the West. In Malaysia, it is listed as a rare disease3 with an estimated prevalence of 6 per 100,000 population4.
OCREVUS® - Slowing Progression and Suppressing Relapses
Administered by intravenous infusion every six months, OCREVUS® has shown sustained high-efficacy to slow disease progression, thus positively impacting the quality of life of MS patients.5
Data shows that 8 out of 10 RMS patients are progression-free of their condition after 10 years.6
