Calls for the Government to fund different medication for those with Lou Gherig's disease

New research reveals less than half of ALS patients take the only funded treatment - riluzole - with some never being prescribed or offered it.

The uptake for the same medication is more than 80 percent in Europe, and more than 70 percent in Australia.

Research co-author Dr James Cleland says some have swallowing issues, needing a liquid form of the drug.

He says they're pushing for a liquid riluzole, that's already available in other countries.