Availability of Tofaticinib in NZ

[Moirab]

Hi,

We are considering a move to NZ and although will have to self fund my medication for a considerable time does anyone know if tofaticinib 5mg or similar is available and what are the costs per tablet very difficult to find this information out.

Any help would be great

Thanks

[Hidden]

I’m from Australia, and due to the recent Federal Election result (which is a long story), I’ve looked at emigrating (along with others) to NZ. They appear to have a hybrid health system, similar to Australia’s. I’ve supplied a link below. In OZ, access to biologics is restricted to people with intractable disease - meaning you have to fail ALL of the 4 most modern DMARDS, over a period of time, have a DAS of 5.0 or worse etc.

So from the link below, you need to pay attention to at what stage you might qualify for their “Public” health system - I’m sure it’s mentioned on that page.

newzealandnow.govt.nz/livin...

All the best, it’s a beautiful country, cheers Deb

[Moirab in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much, I have a brother there and visited last year, amazing place.

Thanks again x

[Hidden in reply to Moirab]

You’re welcome

Looking back, I should have pointed out that in OZ we have subsidised medicines. I would assume that NZ is the same, so what I meant about “qualifying” was what needed to happen for you to access those subsidised medicines, because they’re very expensive otherwise.

All the best

[Whezziewhoozie in reply to Hidden]

Hi, my husband is Australian and we have always wanted to move over there in a few years. I was then diagnosed with RA. Currently have tried three DMARDS and now they are thinking biologics.

My main concern is will I get a visa for Australia having RA and does the fact that I may start biologics affect the Visa. As they are more expensive.

Sorry read your post and thought you might be the right person to ask. I am from the UK

[Hidden in reply to Whezziewhoozie]

Hi, I’m not an immigration expert 😂 Having a quick Google, it looks complicated, your probably better to ring Australian Embassy and ask if they can point you to the right website. What I did glean is that, as a spouse you can apply for a Visa, but it looks like you need to be supported financially for 2 years (unless you get a work visa of some sort). There’s been a few horror stories of people with disabilities (incl. children) being deported as they might “cost too much”. It’s not the nice place for UK and NZ citizens that it used to be. I’m not sure if we even have reciprocal health/pension arrangements anymore - so that’s a heads up to not be disappointed if RA & biologics is a case of paying for it yourself, cheers Deb

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

PS: Our politics are as messed up as yours are, which is why thought about the possibility of emigrating to NZ. A recent poll for “Most preferred Prime Minister” said that 72% of Australians preferred Jacinda Adern 😂

[AgedCrone in reply to Whezziewhoozie]

You should be able to speak to somebody at the Australian High Commission who could give you information...as a Brit it is very difficult to get into Australia if you have ongoing health problems, but as you are married to an Australian the regulations may be different. I know when my cousin’s father went to join her when he retired she had to agree to fund any medical treatment he needed. He had no health problems but was 65+. Luckily he lived to a ripe old age without needing treatment...but that was about 15 years ago & things could have changed now.

Good Luck