MS Research Australia has published a report titled, Health Economic Impact of Multiple Sclerosis in Australia 2017. The report provides a detailed snapshot of the economics behind MS, looking at employment, quality of life issues, and even calculating the cost per person living with MS in Australia. The report concludes with some powerful recommendations for future steps. My guest is Dr. Lisa Melton, Head of Research at MS Research Australia, and we're talking about what this report is telling us, what it's recommending, and how we transition those recommendations into actionable steps.

We're also talking about some good news for people living with progressive MS -- the extremely positive outcome of the Phase 2 clinical trial for Ibudilast. We'll tell you about a couple of upcoming educational webinars about Ocrevus and primary progressive MS, and Ocrevus and relapsing remitting MS. We'll update you on the latest news about Phase 2 clinical trials for cannabis-based medications to treat MS, you'll get a heads-up about a very sneaky (and very dangerous) piece of legislation that is potentially devastating to people living with MS in the U.S., and we'll tell you how you can catch an online video of last week's Progress in MS Research: Live Update 2018 presentation in Australia.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?

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Ibudilast Clinical Trial Shows Unprecedented Slowing in Brain Atrophy in Progressive MS 1:11

Upcoming Ocrevus Educational Webinars 3:17

MMJ Intl Asks FDA to Approve Cannabis-MS Study 4:22

Pre-Existing Conditions Bill is Healthcare Wolf in Sheep's Clothing 5:34

Progress in MS Research Lie Update 2018 11:33

Interview with Dr. Lisa Melton 12:30

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LINKSIf your podcast app doesn't show these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com

Phase 2 Trial of Ibudilast in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Upcoming Ocrevus webinars

Legal Brief Filed in U.S. District Court by the National MS Society, American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association

Ensuring Coverage for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act

Video: Progress in MS Research Live Update 2018

Report: Health Economic Impact of Multiple Sclerosis in Australia 2017

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RealTalk MS Episode 51 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Dr. Lisa Melton

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSResearchAustralia, Ibudilast, ClevelandClinic, CleClinicNews, Ocrevus, Cannabis, MMJInternational, PreExistingConditions, Prexxatstake, RealTalkMS