Humira in australia cost

[AussieChick]

Hello,
My GI has said if my current treatment doesn't work (which it hasnt been) then Humira injections are the next step. I have heard they are approx $2000. I have no private health, no centrelink help watsover (because apparently my partner earns too much, which is $100 over their limit and I was told i wasn't sick enough for the disability pension which is a crock of shit because I'm really not sure if I could get any more sicker than this). Anyways my question is how do people afford these injections??

:depressed:

 

[DustyKat]

Hi AussieChick,

Humira is listed on the PBS so it is available at script price or concession price if you have a health care card.

We have not done Humira so I am not sure how long a script lasts so will tag Aussie, Stefan into this.

Dusty. xxx

 

[AussieChick]

Thank you Dusty xx

 

[Samboi]

It's just the regular PBS price - about $35 per month - which is a shot every two weeks as prescribed.

Do you understand how the PBS works Aussie Chick?

 

[Memymo]

I had the Humira injections and boy do they hurt! My gastroenterologist at st Vincent's hospital rang the company himself, wrote an email and organized for them to give it to me for free under reasons of compassion.
The injections didn't work for me as did none of the others.
Do you have crohns or UC?
I know for a fact that at a public hospital regardless of if you have a healthcare card or not they are capped at $31.
I work in a private hospital and they don't have a cap, in fact you might pay a little more then any other chemist.
Which hospital are you at if You don't mind answering.

 

[stefan]

The criteria for Humira on the PBS is quite strict, check the Medicare site for more info, but if you can meet the criteria, it works out quite cheap.

Humira comes in a twin pack, either as prefilled syringes or epi-pen style injector pens. The full cost is ~$2000 per pack, but you will pay at most the $35 PBS rate, or a concessional or safety net rate, should you qualify.

Humira is administered fortnightly, so loading dose aside, a twin pack lasts 4 weeks, and the scripts have up to 5 repeats, ie 12 shots or 24 weeks worth total.

Hopefully that answers some questions, see http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/pbs/drugs1/crohns.jsp for more details, and you may find www.IBD.org.au/cdai useful for the CDAI requirement

4 Beta

 

[stefan]

I had the Humira injections and boy do they hurt!

Are you using the epi-pen or the syringe? The pen injects a little fast for my liking, so I opt for a more controlled rate with the syringe, which I find has less discomfort, but I may have been called somewhat of a control freak on more than one occasion

Definitely talk to your doctor if its very painful though, and especially if it gets worse.

4 Beta

 

[AussieChick]

Thank you so much everyone! Memymo I have Crohn's disease and I am at the Modbury Hospital SA, it's a public hospital but looking to get transferred to The Royal Adelaide Hospital! my GI just kept saying it's very expensive etc. He actually gives me no information about anything and brushes a lot of what I say off. So I don't think he really cares too much!

Well thank you everyone, feel a lot better now and thank you for all the info

xxx

 

[stefan]

That's good to hear you're trying to get to the RAH, that and Flinders are the two best centers for IBD in the state, and among the best in the country.

Glad some of that was helpful, and all the best

4 Beta

 

[AussieChick]

Oh wow I didn't know that Stefan, definitely will be pushing for RAH then
Cheers x

 

[stefan]

In particular, A/Prof Jane Andrews (RAH) and Prof Peter Bampton (FMC) who head their respective IBD units are two very prominent and well respected IBD specialists, with a comprehensive team of IBD specialists, IBD nurses, and others to call on in their units. Both clinics do tend to get the cases when other specialists/hospitals have got out of their depth, so hopefully nobody takes it personally

4 Beta

 

[AussieChick]

Yeh that was my only concern, I didn't want to offend me current GI, lovely but not sure he really cares or knows what he's doing.

Thanks for the info Stefan

 

[Outlaw]

Good to see you're on the right path. Took a few months before I qualified in terms of symptoms for Medicare to approve my Humira. Have been on it for almost 4 weeks now. All the info is on those links you've been given above.

 

[Memymo]

4 beat; I had the epi pens......they hurt! I had to use a numbing gel. Not on them anymore; thank God.

Aussie chick; you should see a specialist that actually listens to you and validates all your questions. If he doesn't give you he light of day find someone better. Don't allow yourself to settle. You need to trust him! This is your health! Good luck with getting the info you need. The above info is great!

 

[AussieChick]

Definitely changing specialists, I have just gotten out of hospital. Last Tuesday I had the most terrifying experience of my life. I felt like someone had grabbed my intestines and was strangling them whilst stabbing with a thousand knives this went on for 12 hours straight with no relief ambos took me to the hospital (who took an hour to get to my place because it was only 'crohn's disease') and then when in emergency i was told by this nurse to settle down, u have crohns for the rest of your life deal with it. I was horrified. As if i could help the pain i was in. they gave me every pain med they could and it didnt even touch the sides.
Finally was admitted and my specialist who works there took 3 days to come see me and when he finally did he told me to go home. I was like I HAVENT EATEN IN 3 days dont u want to see if I eat the same thing happens?? his response 'oh yeh' and pretty much left. I can't believe it, am I over exaggerating?? I have no idea what happened im assuming a horrible flare up! but is this something i should just get over and accept is my life now???

 

[DustyKat]

No it isn't something you should accept as being a part of your life. :ghug:

Yes, you have a chronic incurable disease and that is something that needs to be accepted lest it consume you but to be treated the way were is totally unacceptable and should not be expected. You should not be the recipient of the ignorance of others, and that is what it is, ignorance.

Who doesn't get sick and bloody tired of hearing of so called 'well meaning' people say of Crohn's...Oh yeah, I know someone with that and they don't have any problems with it.

Well welcome to the real world people, just like a multitude of other diseases out there there are varying levels of severity. If non sufferers choose the easy and ignorant way out because they can't deal with it then so be it but keep your opinions and disrespect to yourself. If you don't and prefer to spruik what an idiot you are to all and sundry then don't be surprised if I in turn tell you exactly what I think of you!

People that are way kinder than I may say that those people don't understand and that I in turn should be more understanding. Well I don't buy it. If they don't understand, and BTW I don't expect that they should, that is fine but is their ignorance an excuse for flippancy and downright rudeness, no it is not.

Sorry rant over! :lol:

You deserve so much better AussieChick so continue with what you are going to do, find a new GI and team. One that will treat you with kindness, compassion and understanding. Who will work with you and for you and that way your Crohn's journey will be easier to bear.

Dusty. :ghug:

 

[AussieChick]

Never apologise for your rant Dusty I agree with you 100%. I can't believe the ignorance of some people especially from the health professionals that are suppose to help and care for you. I definitely had an eye opener this week. I think it has made me stronger and understand this CRAP disease a little bit more, but I will no longer be putting up with the treatment I received.

I am in the process now of being transferred to another hospital. Fingers crossed all goes well, apparently this specialist lives for Crohn's Disease and is continually researching.... but best of all...she supports her patients.

Thank you for the support Dusty
x

 

[Jaiyce]

Just wanted to send you a hug and best wishes. I really hope you get this new dr and don't have to deal with the other. Is there anyone you can write a complaint to regarding that terrible nurse?

 

[AussieChick]

Thanks Jaiyce

Yeah my partner and I are going to write a letter to the hospital complaining, just have to work out how to word it so I don't come across like a crazy person telling them exactly how I feel lol

Thank you for the support
X

 

[stefan]

Hey AussieChick, sorry to hear you've had a rough time both health wise and with the health professionals. I hope you're able to make the move to Jane and her team soon, and that will help you resolve things.

If you're free Tues 13th Aug I'd definitely suggest you try to make it to the CCA support group in the city, there are a few that should be able to relate to your story, and several that use the RAH. Though I'm perhaps a bit biased as a co-facilitator

4 Beta

 

[AussieChick]

Hello Stefan,

I was definitely thinking about coming to the next meeting

Might see you then

cheers

 

[concerned friend]

Aussie Chick
Are you ok now? my friend has been through the same
she has got help now from a Dr in Sydney can I give clinic details or Drs names on this site?
research crohns & TB