This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

It was approved under PBS in Australia today, which means in Australia it will be heavily subsidised by the Government.

it should be noted that a lot of Australian MSers are already on this drug, as Novartis have been supplying free samples for a number of months now (it got TGA approval earlier in the year).

yes, and i also jumped the gun a little bit, in that it has been recommended to the govt by the committee, but has not been given the actual rubber stamp as yet.

I think you're right....Gilenya is approved for PBS subsidisation. But Movectro (Cladribine) was not approved for PBS subsidisation. Both had TGA approval, and the marketers of both have been giving out free samples since they got TGA approval.

The marketer of Movectro just announced they're withdrawing it from global market. I guess not getting PBS subsidisation for it was quite a hit (as it was only approved in Australia and Russia. North American and European regulators knocked it back). Approved in two countries....one of which (Oz) is not a paying customer! Gotta hurt

Gilenya is being added to the PBS in September - that means that it will cost $34.20 (Australian dollars) a month to the end user

Novartis have been giving it away until now - I live in Sydney and started in April

does anyone know what the full price is in Australia?

Gilenya was listed on the PBS today

The full cost is $2312.98 for 28 capsules

or $30151.34 AUD per year

Who is Novartis and how do you get the free samples? I live in NZ and it will likely be approved here within the next 6 months but whether or not it is funded will take another couple years to determine and I can't afford $1000 a week (which is what it will probably cost here) so I'd like to see about the free samples to try it and see if it will even work for me.

Novartis are the manufacturer of Gilenya.

Your neuro should be able to advise if they have access to the drug before it is publically funded