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That's really interesting. I'm SHOCKED that big pharmaceuticals would be playing those games...just kidding...I saw "The Fugitive", LOL.

Anyhoo, I'm glad Tysabri will be available for those who don't have success with the other therapies.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out though, IMHO.

I'm just wondering how exacerbations will be handled. From what I've read, if you have worsening symptoms (which is so normal in relapsing MS) they'll want to check for PML and get an MRI. After all, the lady who died from PML was thought to just have an exacerbation when in fact she was developing PML.

How many MRI's are the insurance companies willing to pay for in a year, to monitor a drug? Will this further hamper their reluctance to pay for the med? And they say they don't believe a short course of steroids will hurt during an exacerbation or increase the risk of PML...but they don't really know? So many unanswered questions. I think it's definitely worth the "risk" because the number of incidents were so low during the trials.

Another thing that might limit TY is when people start getting hit with their co-pays for the treatment. There were reports of costs ranging from $3,000 to $7000 for one infusion (depending on the infusion center and the mark-up of the drug.) If you have group insurance, no problem, you'll have a non-formulary fee for the drug, and the infusion will be covered by a regular co-pay. But if you have traditional 80/20 insurance, that'll be a chunk to pay every month.

I'll be following the drug and it's results. I'm sure just like any of the treatments some people will do well, others will have issues.