MED Question Anyone

[missyrn0514]

Okay so my neurologist says to look at Gilenya and wants to start this in the next week or so. I decide to compare cost. I am amazed at the cost of the cost of the Betaseron. Been out since 1993 and the cost is still over $30,000 per year, REALLY!!!!!! No wonder there are those who choose to not take the DMD and treat the relapses. If my copay is 20% can you imagine??????? The Gilenya is over $50,000 a year, I do not know if the patient assisstance program is going to be able to help or not but will find out. Time will tell.

Missy

[missyrn0514]

laura and Alex

novartis called me last evening, they said the patient assistance is remarkable and for me not to worry. And Alex you make a very valid point, I do not want a wheelchair and a van is so not even my style(joke here). As far as nursing care that is my job not someone elses to do for me so I guess I will opt for the treatment huh... Anyway all the pre labs and ECG is complete it looks like we will start next week. Will keep everyone posted.

Missy

[Lulu54]

The pharmas all have patient assistance programs for people who need help wit the financial side of taking their drug.  They want you on their particiular one and will do what's needed to make that happen.  

Gilenya has a very generous pt assistance program and I hope they can be of help to you.The overall cost of these drugs really is outrageous, especially for the older drugs that should have had their research costs recovered years ago. The MS community is helping to pay the research costs for other drugs to be developed for other diseases,  


good luck, Laura

[HVAC]

We with MS are a captive audience. Cancer treatment is the same. One of my monthly chemo therapies is $30,000.  We in the U.S.A. pay more for DMDs than the rest of the world combined. The truth is if you do not try to slow progression the cost of MS is so much higher. To pay for wheel chairs, vans, hospitalizations from relapses, and nursing care is way more expensive. For me not to pay for chemo means death so it is a little clearer. I even have to pay to be in cancer research studies where I might get a placebo.

I hope you can get assistance.

Alex