Page 6 of 6

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:56 pm
by HarryZ
Amelia,
amelia wrote::?: I'm confused!
What's the difference if you took Tysabri in the trials or outside of the trials? Did the drug resond differently when given in the trials? I think not.
\Lauren, you really are up on your stuff and we appreciate it. Thanks for what you do.
Sorry, I missed your question and saw it only tonight.

When drugs are tested in a trial setting, the patient is usually benefiting from the maximum care and attention. They are tested often and if anything goes wrong, immediate action is taken. The level of support is but a phone call away. My wife took part in a MS drug trial a number of years ago so I experienced first hand what happens in the "trial setting".

But when patients start to use a new drug that has become publicly available for the first time, the support and care level that exists in the trial setting aren't there to that level. A normal situation now exists and more than specially selected patients start to use the drug. Within a year or so one starts to see how the drug works under these conditions and that gives a better overall picture of its efficacy.

That's what I was trying to explain.

Harry

Interesting - I'm starting next week

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:31 pm
by mchristina
Thank you all for this information. I has been very interesting. I have Cigna as my health insurance and was approved for Tysabri in 1 day. The MS Center in Boston called Cigna directly and took care of everything. The cost is also much LESS than what I'm currently paying for Rebif, Cellcept and Steroids. I have my first infusion next week. I wish everyone good luck, health and happiness.