What I hated was that they push them so hard at you, and then dont tell you the real effectiveness of them. 33% for the CRAB drugs to "maybe" prevent the next relapse. Then when you complain whether it be money, side effects or want to try CAM they argue and fuss and kick up a storm. I am now bareback and my MRI didnt change one bit. That is not to say that these drugs may not be more effective for someone else, or may truly save someone from a dramatic increase in disability but why oh why do we need to charge this much?? to those that are the least able to pay it??

Criminal. just criminal.

Efficacy rates by drug or what you get for your money.

Avonex 32%
Betaseron 34%
Copaxone 29%
Rebif 32%
Tysabri 67%
Gilenya 45%

And the others I named in the first post do not have studies that reliably quote efficacy in reduction of number of relapses/delay of progression or are for symptom relief. I'm not here to argue what LDN does or what 4AP does. I do understand that many people take them and have had
excellent results with them, but there was no study data available. If anyone has any data that shows efficacy rates in reducing number of relapses or delaying progression of disease for LDN or 4AP or Ampyra, please add it to this thread.

My Copaxone costs me almost $800 from a 30 day supply and only $50 for the Ampyra (which I'm VERY happy about) and then $10 here and there for other generic drugs. It is very expensive in my opinonin for the Copaxone. I cannot get payment asstance for it either. I do have to insurances and Anthum (Blue cross) kept telling me they will not pay as a secondary insurer.

It is infuriating isn't it??? Just recently I recall reading about how MS drugs have gone up 20-30% in cost. The article speculated that it was because Gilenya came in at $48,000 and upped the ante for the other companies. They felt, well if Novartis is going to charge almost 50K, maybe we should raise our prices too.

And then combine that with changing insurance plans that offer less and less. My MS drug costs have gone up monthly by $90 over the past year. And I feel bad complaining because I know that other people have it much much worse.

Another reason that I'm glad that I quit the copaxone. (didnt like the side effects, didnt think it was doing anything)

If I try anything else, it'll be LDN. Just need to find a doctor to give me some.

And I nearly fainted when I found out my Crohn's med, Pentasa, goes for $1,600/mo if taken at full dose. I am now weaning off of it. So glad I haven't signed on for any expensive MS drugs . . . .

Idiot, We gave you the name of a Doc who prescribes LDN. Whuz yer problem?

That number for Tysabri is what Biogen tells us was the reduced "risk" for relapses/progression over placebo from their trials. Just recently, they quoted numbers from a two year study which showed a 37% reduced relapse/progression rate as compared to 7% for placebo, thus giving an approx 30% improvement. That put's it right in the CRAB category. While the cost for the drug is similar to the CRABs, the infusion charges on top of that make it by far the most expensive medication choice for MS patients.


Harry

I have a hard time believing the stats the drug companies quote to us. I also have a hard time believing anything the drug companies tell us. They're in it for the money. That's it. They know how the insurance industry works and how to make the most money from it. I know most of them have "assistance" programs for those of us without insurance and who are on a fixed income but they make up for it ten fold with the prices they charge those who do have coverage. They aren't hurtin'......