Drug Mafia

[shadow2010875]

Hello all UC Patients,
I was diagnosed with UC few years back and tried every medication (ASA, Rowasa Enema, Prednisone, Immuno-Suppresants, Remicade, VSL-3, etc). I have been hospitalized four times in last two years. Finally I met a doctor in UK who prescribed Asacol Foam Enema. I was unable to get into remission for last so many years with all drugs, however, with this foam enema, I got in full remission in just few weeks. I was surprised to find that drug industry that makes Enemas for UC has been dominated by company that makes Rowasa Enema (Israeli Company). I am shocked to find that Rowasa has complete monopoly over this industry. How can they get away with this. This is a clear criminal act. How come FDA is not allowing the safe to use Mesalazine Enema, which has been used for years in Europe and Canada? I am not certain how I can spread the word so that all UC patients who are suffering can get benefited. Please spread the word and let CCFA know that this drug needs to be made available in US. I have to buy it from UK or Canada at my own expenses. This is outrageous when I am paying so much for insurance. Please advise.

[viviloves]

I am British but live in Japan. I have ulcerative proctitis and have to fly annually to the UK to buy pentasa suppositories at my own expense; as I am no longer a UK resident I have to pay for a private prescription. Japan has not done any drugs trials for this and prescribed oral pentasa to me, which let to an almighty flare. They prescibed pentasa liquid enemas, then steroids liquid enemas, then oral steroids all the while I am getting thinner, but puffier (thanks steroids!), my knees were very painful and my eyesight was blurry. I flew to the UK (nightmare 12 hour flight) + few hour transfer. Was prescibed 1g pentasa suppositories, stopped all other meds and tapered the oral steroids and all symptoms stopped within 10 days.
I've just started a flare when in the UK for xmas (had doxy... antibiotics which I think triggered it) and doc prescribed asacol foam enemas- FX they will work. I will buy a few boxes to take back to Japan and avoid another flare. It is ridiculous that all drugs are not available in all developed countries especially when we pay an insurance premium anyway.
I hope you are symptom free and all the best for 2012!

[ulcerativecolitis]

Hey-

I was also diagnose with UC 2 years ago and not able to get into remisson.  I was at one pt but on Rowasa and it didnt help.  When I was on it, I looked it up and found that it is the generic form of Asocal enemas.  So is Pentasa.  They are all different names for Mesalamine.  So they should all be the same formula and work the same.  I know from experience that sometime the brand works better than generics, but thought I would share this information with everyone.

[homeslice187]

That's crazy man. I'm glad you we'ere able to find out about, attain, and benefit from this medication. I had UC when I was 8 then 3 flare-ups later I had to have a colectomy due to major blood loss. It's sad that we here in the US have such a terrible time being treated with no respect or dignity by those agencies who are designed to protect us and work for our benefit as advocates. This is another reason why I believe that healthcare should indeed be managed as a non-profit and/or by the government so that peoples health will come first, not profits. It's insane.

[shadow2010875]

Why is US with largest number of UC patients not allowing Pentasa, Asacol foam Enema's here?