Hi David,
Sorry, but I had to laugh at their suggestion that you could fund the cost of remicade yourself with some help from your health fund. Considering that most health funds have a cap of about $500-$1000AUS a year, it seems a little much to pay for yourself.
I have been looking into the costs of Remicade with a private script (it helps that I work in Pharmacy and could get cost price for myself). Working on the assumption that I would need 3 vials at a time to get the recommended 5mg/kg I worked out that it would cost me approx A$2500 each infusion with a total cost of about A$27000 a year. So yeah sure, we'll all just pay that ourselves - I'm sure I've got that amount sitting here somewhere !!!!
If I could work 70 hours a week like I used to I might be able to consider the prospect, but since this disease is kicking my AS and I can now only work a max of 24 hours a week (if it's a good week) their suggestion is the funniest that I've heard all year. Perhaps the governement could start up a new lottery, we could call it Remicade Lotto - at least our chances of winning it would be better than our current chances of getting it thru the PBS - LOL !!!
Sue
