I just called my local pharmacy to get the price of my Avonex prefilled injector pens. For a one month supply which is 4 pens it cost $20, 456.00! That's $245472.00 a year! Thank God for insurance. With insurance I pay an $80 co-pay. We need a cure! This is as of 10-14-13
My guess is the cost doesn't translate directly from what we pay in the US or the UK to what it would be in Rupees and the Indian drug system. You have a different structure and the drug companies seem to charge less in places other than the US.
So don't get stressed at that INR number that Paula has translated. I find a source online that says in 2008 Avonex was Rs 9,000 per vial. Please call your Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) and see what advice they can share.
People on avonex have very good luck with slowing their disease, I hope you will do well on it, too!
Lulu
I'm not sure if the same injection training program will be offered where you live. If you need help figuring out how to rotate the injections properly, send me a personal message, and I will help you as best I can.
Tammy
I found the phone number for Biogen Idec in India. It's located in Gurgaon. The phone number is: +91 124 457 2300.
I hope this helps.
Tammy
You will definitely need to contact the company for financial help, because unless you are quite wealthy- you can't afford to pay cash. You also can't purchase just one u=injection. My pharmacy paperwork said that one month cost $4300 this time. I've seen it as low as $3800. With insurance, I paid $35.00- at least until they change the insurance coverage. There are programs available out there. One place to look is www.needymeds.com. The medications for ms are so expensive, that you might not have to be poor to get help at this site. I'd try Biogen Idec first though.
As for side effects: You can expect to be a little sore at the injection site for a while, but since you only inject once a week, there is plenty of time to heal up, if you rotate your injection sites properly. I usually feel unwell (fever, sore muscles, fatigue) for the first day or two - It's actually getting better over time though. The Avonex nurse will give you lots of tips to help with proper rotation, as well as managing side effects.
If you are still working, and can't afford to be under the weather- as for a prescription for 10mg of oral prednisone to take the morning after your injection. Drink lots of water. You should be okay to work.
This is my third dmd, and so far- it's my favorite.
Best of luck to you.
Tammy
MS Patients using AVONEX pls share your expereinces with me after using it.. Is it benefitting you or are you having any prroblem or side effects of it..? Pls do tell me the Pros and cons of AVONEX.. Also share other things you people do to cure yourself of MS.
Thanks......
When my doctor looked up a one month supply (4 injections) it was $3100. I don't know what INR is. I'm guessing it has something to do with Euros or Pounds and I have no idea.
If the above cost is accurate the cost in INR is 202,435.65
I dont have a health insurance so I have to pay on my own so pls tel how much will it cost me and if possible tell me in INR.
Thanks...
My health insurance claim form tells me my last package of 4 injections cost $3606.55. I paid $100 of that. In January 2005, those numbers were $1180.26 and $50, respectively.