Episode 246: The High Cost of MS Medications with Steffany Stern
RealTalk MS16 Mai 2022

Episode 246: The High Cost of MS Medications with Steffany Stern

When my wife was diagnosed with MS in 1997, the annual cost of her MS medication was $9,000. Today, the annual cost of that same medication is $110,000.

We cannot allow the insanity associated with the cost of MS medications to continue.

Joining me to discuss the impact of the outrageously high cost of MS medications -- and what each of us can do about it -- is the National MS Society's Vice-President of Advocacy, Steffany Stern.

We're also talking about a Phase 1 clinical trial for an investigational Epstein-Barr Virus vaccine (and why that matters to everyone living with MS).

We'll tell you about a study that may have identified a biomarker for MS-related fatigue.

We're also sharing the results of a study that identified which stress-reducing activities can help reduce MS-related depression and fatigue.

And we'll tell you about a study that identified the economic benefits of starting MS medications early.

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

The (HIGH!) Cost of MS Medications :22

NIH Announces Phase I Clinical Trial of Investigational EBV Vaccine 4:21

Study identifies a potential biomarker for MS fatigue 6:04

Study identifies stress-reducing activities that lower MS-related depression and fatigue 8:37

Study shows the economic benefits of starting MS medications early 11:25

Steffany Stern discusses the impact of the cost of MS medications 14:16

Share this episode 32:10

Download the RealTalk MS app for your iOS or Android device 32:30

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/246

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

National MS Society COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for People Living with MS
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/multiple-sclerosis-and-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-guidance

National MS Society: You Can Help Bring MS Medications Into Reach
https://nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Medications/Make-MS-Medications-Accessible/Take-Action

RealTalk MS Ep.229: Evidence Shows MS Is Triggered by the Epstein-Barr Virus with Dr. Kassandra Munger and Dr. AJ Joshi
https://realtalkms.com/229

RealTalk MS Episode 231: Evidence Shows EBV Triggers MS: Understanding this Breakthrough Research with Dr. Bruce Bebo
https://realtalkms.com/231

Cerebrospinal Fluid Amyloid Precursor Protein as a Potential Biomarker for Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study
https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211034822003583

SURVEY: Undertaking Specific Stress-Reducing Activities are Associated with Reduced Fatigue and Depression, And Increased Mastery, in People with Multiple Sclerosis
https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211034822003169

Early vs Late Treatment Initiation in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Impact on Cost of Illness: A Register-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Sweden
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35496759

iConquer MS Survey for MS Caregivers
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6823942/Caregiver-Survey-MS-Caregivers

iConquer MS Survey for Researchers and Healthcare Providers
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6823815/Caregiver-research-survey-HCPs-and-researchers

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 246
Guests: Steffany Stern

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS

Privacy Policy

Episoder(503)

Episode 449: Putting People Affected by MS at the Center of MS Research with Sara Loud, Stephanie Buxhoeveden, and Hollie Schmidt

Episode 449: Putting People Affected by MS at the Center of MS Research with Sara Loud, Stephanie Buxhoeveden, and Hollie Schmidt

When you join the iConquer MS community, you're no longer just a patient; you become a research partner. Not just a data point in someone's study. You become the person to suggest the study, to help d...

6 Apr 37min

Episode 448: At the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference with David, Cliff, and Michelle

Episode 448: At the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference with David, Cliff, and Michelle

Last week, about 170 MS activists from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. to participate in the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference. It's hard to come away from this event and ...

30 Mar 31min

Episode 447: Walking with Many Sisters Toward a Cure with Brigitte Delaney

Episode 447: Walking with Many Sisters Toward a Cure with Brigitte Delaney

In 1988, there were just 42 Walk MS events, raising approximately $4 million. In 2025, there were 170 events across the country that raised over $30 million. As the largest private funder of MS resear...

23 Mar 23min

Episode 446: MS Advocacy and the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference with Steffany Stern

Episode 446: MS Advocacy and the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference with Steffany Stern

175 MS activists are heading to Washington, D.C. next week for the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference. Their mission: to bring the concerns of the MS community directly to lawmakers on Cap...

16 Mar 34min

Episode 445: It's MS Awareness Week with Kristine Werner Ozug and Kim, Kim, and Kim

Episode 445: It's MS Awareness Week with Kristine Werner Ozug and Kim, Kim, and Kim

It's MS Awareness Week, and this year we're diving into a theme that hits home for millions: Unseen MS. Multiple sclerosis is a master of disguise; it can be entirely invisible to the naked eye while ...

9 Mar 40min

Episode 444: Treating MS with a GLP-1 with Dr. Ellen Mowry

Episode 444: Treating MS with a GLP-1 with Dr. Ellen Mowry

You know them by their trade names such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. This class of medications is known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. And while they are best known for managing diabetes a...

2 Mar 31min

Episode 443: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 3) with Dr. Helen Tremlett, Dr. Ilana Katz Sand, and Kathy Smith

Episode 443: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 3) with Dr. Helen Tremlett, Dr. Ilana Katz Sand, and Kathy Smith

Welcome back to the third and final part of our coverage of the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. This week's episode bridges the gap between groundbreaking clinical research and the nuanced reality of living with ...

23 Feb 35min

Episode 442: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 2) with Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kristine Werner Ozug

Episode 442: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 2) with Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kristine Werner Ozug

Welcome back to Part Two of our coverage of the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. This week, we shift our focus to emerging therapies and clinical insights that are re-shaping the future of MS care. From the latest...

16 Feb 44min

Populært innen Helse

fastlegen
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
rss-gukild-johaug
hvordan-har-du-det-mann
psykodrama
leger-om-livet
rss-garne-damer
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
foreldreradet
morten-ramm-lar-kakla-ga-til-du-sovner
hjernesterk
rss-lopedrommen
klimaks
g-punktet
hormonelle-frida
bak-fasaden-en-reise-i-livet-med-sykepleier-ine
hverdagspsyken
sinnsyn
rss-kull
helsetipspodden