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Re:Multiple sclerosis has a common viral culprit, opening do... by doctor_eval on Saturday August 13, 2022 @09:23PM (#32455445)
Australia? MS clinics around the country are free under Medicare, as is treatment. My friend is receiving twice annual infusions of Ocrelizumab. It literally costs them nothing.

I mean you can argue that Australia is a rich country, but it’s available to any citizen regardless of wealth.

Re:Multiple sclerosis has a common viral culprit, opening do... by ipaddr on Saturday August 13, 2022 @11:18PM (#32456030)
You first need to get someone to prescribe Ocrelizumab
Re:Multiple sclerosis has a common viral culprit, opening do... by doctor_eval on Sunday August 14, 2022 @01:30AM (#32456656)
That really was not a problem.
Re:Multiple sclerosis has a common viral culprit, opening do... by refurb on Sunday August 14, 2022 @04:48AM (#32457629)
https://www.msaustralia.org.au/news/subsidy-recommendations-...

It's not available if you have early, MRI-active primary progressive MS. PBAC decided not to reimbursement ocrelizumab for that.

Re:Multiple sclerosis has a common viral culprit, opening do... by Broken_Hippo on Sunday August 14, 2022 @06:18AM (#32458057)
Many if not most countries have preferred front-line treatments, usually decided by a combination of overall costs. These costs will include things like actual monetary cost, how closely you need to be monitored by your doctors (blood tests and stuff), how severe side effects are, how much the reduce disability in the long term, the ability of patients to stick with it and things like that.
Re:Multiple sclerosis has a common viral culprit, opening do... by refurb on Sunday August 14, 2022 @07:15AM (#32458318)
Right. And some countries choose to have first-line treatments that prioritize lower cost over efficacy of therapy. It's great as a taxpayer, not so great at a patient.
Re:Multiple sclerosis has a common viral culprit, opening do... by rj9000 on Sunday August 14, 2022 @09:43PM (#32464984)
Some countries prescribe Rituximab as quasi off-label for MS. Basically same drug for all intents and purposes as Ocrevus.

I think Sweden uses Rituximab openly for MS. In the US I've heard some neuros prescribe Rituximab if insurance won't cover O.

Re:Multiple sclerosis has a common viral culprit, opening do... by refurb on Sunday August 14, 2022 @10:00PM (#32465062)
Rituximab was shown to be inferior in a head to head comparison against ocrelizumab.