This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Genzyme blitzes Australian MS market with free oral drug teriflunomide



Drug company Genzyme has launched an aggressive campaign to get its new multiple sclerosis drug teriflunomide prescribed free of charge to patients, in a controversial patient familiarisation program announced the same day the medicine was licensed in Australia.

Each participating neurologist will be able to sign up 10 patients for the once-daily immune system pill, sold under the brand name Aubagio and intended for people with moderate to severe disease, a spokesman said – about 14,000 mainly young adult Australians.

Any patient prescribed the drug, which competes with interferons, could continue on it indefinitely while the company awaited a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidy ruling.

But Agnes Vitry, from the University of South Australia’s School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, said familiarisation programs were intended to pressure the government into unwarranted subsidies and could have “disastrous consequences”.... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/2933

_________________
The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre

Squiffy's House of Fun - Laughter for Multiple Sclerosis