Crazy 😜 Cost DMTs

[Kenu]

First time I received three months of meds at once 🤷🏼‍♂️ Total cost before insurance $20,400.00!!! Crazy how much MS medication costs are😜. Thank the Lord for insurance and grants 🙏. Unless you’re rich, how could anyone afford this🤷🏼‍♂️. 🐾Ken

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

Hey Kenu,

Great discussion!

I ALWAYS am stunned at the high price of DMTs! Quite recently, I received my first infusion of Ocrevus and the hospital bill of OVER 70,000 USD! How in tarnation could some one EVER afford that! I agree with you, I thank God for my health insurance, grants, patient assistance, etc. But it begs the question: Does ANYONE ever pay full price for their meds? Or is it a way for companies who have these drugs charge going rate and for insurance companies, gov't to pick up the tab? Just asking.

Keep smiling,

Carole

[JeanieU]

We were told our share of the Ocrevus treatments were going to be $13,000. So I began looking into moving to another country. then I was given advice to call the pharmaceutical company who said they will help. It's shocking how expensive it is.

[jimeka]

It’s appalling. How can anyone put a price on someone’s illness. What makes any drug so expensive? It should be given to those that need it for free. After all it all comes from the ground from plants that are readily available. I bet the people who work in the labs producing these drugs don’t see any where near what they are charging. Sorry but it’s hit a raw nerve, Blessings Jimeka 🦋 🤗

[Qt314grl in reply to jimeka]

I used to be in drug discovery as a chemist. The endeavor is very expensive. For every drug that makes it to market there were probably 10,000+ drugs tested to get there. Clinical trials are expensive, the FDA approval process is expensive. Marketing and training to MDs is expensive. They have a finite time to capture the return on their investment before patent coverage runs out. And the bulk of profits goes right back into R&D. Some complain about C level exec salaries but it is important to hire and retain qualified people to keep these companies running and able to discover new drugs.

And drugs based on natural products are often even harder to make in the lab and scale up for mass production.

[greaterexp in reply to Qt314grl]

Thanks for stating the other side of the story. I don't know of anyone who could afford most of these treatments, but thank God that there are programs and insurance that made them available to most.

[MS_Indestructible in reply to jimeka]

don't need to apologize, your raw nerve is shared by many of us.

[jackiesj]

It is very sad to me that there are many who cant receive DMT and fall in the cracks.I am thankful that there are agencies etc that help bless lives.Medicines are way out of control.I don't care what steps need to be taken to get a med out to the public, there needs to be a cap for all.It isn't fair when some can or cant receive help.I look around and think what can I sell?To be healthy...just about about anything but Mr Buster....!Im so happy for you Kenu, wow, that is astounding. Great insurance! Many grants, discussion where does one start on grants...the companies?

[StacyHayward]

I will be forever grateful to both avonex and Rebif. I only paid $50 a month on avonex and Rebif sent me meds 8 years for free while I was uninsured. Now that I am insured it helps cover my deductible each year. My gratitude is threw the roof.

[TonyiaR7 in reply to StacyHayward]

I am very grateful too! I am glad my husband is able to be employed and has good insurance. I am also so thankful that Copaxone now pays for my monthly $3000 USD copay after all the years I have taken the medication. My total medical expenses are so costly, including non-MS or MS-related expenses like Euflexxa injections for bad knee. Transportation, massages, yoga, stairlift..... these are not covered, just out of pocket. With new tax laws we will not be able to itemize these expenses. To keep my husband alive for a kidney transplant ... hmm... I am grateful for any assistance. I thank God.Thanks for sharing.