MS Forum Site of information

nani

Financial Assistance for MS Patients

Here is some information for MS patients on getting financial assistance with the expense of Tysabri and other MS drugs, and for those who want to make a tax deductible donation to assist MS patients.

For MS patients who may want to be evaluated for the new MS drug Tysabri, you must first qualify for Tysabri under its labeling and get enrolled in the TOUCH program through a TOUCH-enrolled neurologist. If you do not have a TOUCH-enrolled neurologist, within the next few weeks Biogen's MS ActiveSource program (1-800-456-2255) will be set up to give you several nearby TOUCH-enrolled neurologists organized by ZIP Code. Once you have been examined by a TOUCH-enrolled neurologist, obtained your required baseline MRI and have been enrolled in the TOUCH program, you will be assigned a Case Manager by Biogen through their MS ActiveSource program. The Case Manager will assist you and your neurologist with insurance reimbursement issues, including insurance co-payment assistance or with getting free Tysabri if you do not have insurance.

This information below is also applicable to those seeking assistance with the cost of other MS drugs.

Co-payment Assistance:

While MS Patients For Choice is getting itself organized as a 501(c)(3), there is an existing organization that can assist MS patients who need assistance with Tysabri co-payments, the National Organization for Rare Diseases.

Here is their contact information:

NORD MS Premium /Co-Payment Assistance Program
Conditions:
Multiple Sclerosis
Contact:
1-800-634-7207
NORD MS Medicare Co-Payment Assistance Program
Conditions:
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Contact:
1-866-924-0100
Free Tysabri for the Uninsured and Under Insured:

Biogen may be agreeable to making free Tysabri available to those patients who are uninsured and under insured. Work with your Case Manager at MS ActiveSource to pursue this route.

How Others Can Help:

NORD is in discussions with Biogen about setting up a fund specifically for Tysabri co-payments for privately insured patients. However, it is against the law for such a fund to be set up specifically earmarked for Tysabri for Medicare and Medicaid patients, and most drug companies are reluctant to contribute to a general fund for MS patients as those funds can be used for the competitors' drugs (who may not be making similar contributions). However, individuals can make contributions that are earmarked for co-payment assistance for a specific drug, so here is a link to the NORD website to make such a tax deductible contribution: http://www.rarediseases.org/helping/donate

_________________
Welcome to my info site, as I call it. I have Multiple Sclerosis in secondary progression stage. I post what I find useful and hope you can help out with a donation of $1 if you can. If not it's ok... thanks Nani

nani

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.multiplesclerosis.com/news/default.aspx

www.multiplesclerosis.com

Genzyme Reports Interim Results From Trial of Campath® for Multiple Sclerosis

THURSDAY, September 14 -- Genzyme Corporation today announced two-year interim results from a Phase 2 trial comparing Campath® (alemtuzumab) with Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Patients taking alemtuzumab experienced at least a 75 percent reduction in the risk for relapse after at least 2 years of follow up when compared with those treated with interferon beta-1a.

New Drug Reduces MS Symptoms

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Swiss researchers report that an oral drug called fingolimod was effective in preventing relapses in people with multiple sclerosis. However, this study was small and short-term, and long-term side effects are unknown.

'Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to Multiple Sclerosis Progression

TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis. The findings were published in the September issue of the journal Radiology.

Atlas of MS Web Site Launched

On August 14, 2006, the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) launched the Atlas of MS. For the first time, data about the epidemiology of MS and the availability of resources for people with MS can be compared worldwide.

Early Treatment With Betaseron Delays Development of Multiple Sclerosis

AUGUST 16, 2006 -- Betaseron® delays conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis and should be considered as a therapeutic option in patients with a first clinical event suggestive of MS, according to an article published today in the journal Neurology.

Dads More Likely Than Moms to Pass on Multiple Sclerosis

MONDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Men with multiple sclerosis (MS) are more than twice as likely than women with the illness to pass it on to their children, U.S. researchers report. The researchers theorized that this may be because men may have a greater "genetic load" of MS genes compared to women.

Combination Drug Treatment Reduces Multiple Ssclerosis Relapse Rate

(HealthDay News) -- According to the results of a small study, a short course of treatment with mitoxantrone followed by Copaxone reduces the relapse rate by 90 percent in MS patients, British researchers report. However, these results should be viewed cautiously.

Multiple Sclerosis Drug Returns to Market

The makers of Tysabri® (natalizumab) announced the commercial availability of the drug for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS in the U.S. Tysabri had received FDA approval in November 2004, only to be pulled from the market 3 months later after 3 patients in clinical trials developed a deadly brain infection.

NEW Autoinjection Device Designed to Work With Betaseron® Now Available for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Wayne, NJ, July 11, 2006 - Berlex, Inc. today announced the availability of Betaject® 3, a new autoinjection device specifically designed to work with Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b) as an optional injection method for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Clinical Trial Review: Early Treatment Slows Multiple Sclerosis Progression

(HealthDay News) -- Three clinical trials have concluded that treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis early can reduce inflammatory activity and thereby slow the progression of the disease.

FDA Allowing MS Drug Tysabri Back on the Market

The controversial multiple sclerosis (MS) drug Tysabri® (natalizumab) will soon be returning to the market, although with some significant restrictions.

Early Treatment Favored for Multiple Sclerosis

An editorial accompanying a published debate on the pros and cons of starting treatment early in the course of multiple sclerosis comes down in favor of early treatment.

Mouse Study Finding May Help Battle MS

FRIDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- Blocking a chemical signal called interferon-gamma helped prevent harm to cells that surround and protect nerves in mice, researchers report.

Long-term Glatiramer Use Benefits MS Patients, Researchers Say

(HealthDay News) -- Results from the first study of long-term use of the multiple sclerosis (MS) drug glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®) may be positive news, researchers say.

High-Dose Interferon Well Tolerated With Few Side Effects

Results of a small safety study show that double the currently approved dose of the multiple sclerosis (MS) drug interferon beta-1b (Betaseron®) is well tolerated and safe. The results of the study appear in the June 2006 issue of the journal Multiple Sclerosis.

April 1-8, San Diego, CA MultipleSclerosis.com presents MS news highlights from the American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting

16-Year Follow-Up Study Reinforces Betaseron® Long-Term Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability in MS
Early Treatment Delays MS Progression
Men With MS May Benefit From Testosterone Treatment
Higher Dose of Glatiramer Acetate Is More Effective for MS

16-Year Follow-Up Study Reinforces Betaseron Long-Term Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability in MS

TUESDAY, April 4 – Berlex announced today that Betaseron® (interferon beta 1b) remained consistently safe, effective and well tolerated over the long term, according to results of the Betaseron 16-Year Long-Term Follow-up (16-Year LTF) Study presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

Early Treatment Delays Multiple Sclerosis Progression

SAN DIEGO, April 1-8-- Early treatment significantly delays the initial progression of multiple sclerosis, according to research presented this week at the American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego.

Men With Multiple Sclerosis May Benefit From Testosterone Treatment

SAN DIEGO, April 1-8 – Men with multiple sclerosis may experience improvements in cognitive function and a slowing of brain atrophy with testosterone therapy, according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego this week.

High Dose of Glatiramer Acetate is More Effective for Multiple Sclerosis

SAN DIEGO, April 1-8--Researchers at the American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting reported data on a trial involving 90 new patients who had never received the drug. Patients were treated with either the standard dose of glatiramer acetate or twice as much for 9 months.

FDA Extends Tysabri's Review Time

FRIDAY, March 24--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the regulatory review period for bringing the controversial MS drug Tysabri® (natalizumab) back on the market. According to a statement released by the FDA, the review time will be extended by up to 90 days.

A Statin Improves Performance of Multiple Sclerosis Drug

THURSDAY, March 16 (HealthDay News) -- The same researchers who showed that a cholesterol-lowering statin drug might prevent development of full-blown multiple sclerosis are now reporting that statin therapy might improve the performance of existing MS drugs.

National MS Awareness Week: March 13-17

NEW YORK, NY, March 13, 2006—As part of MS Awareness Week (March 13 – 17), the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is launching a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system that affects 2.5 million worldwide.

Protein Test Could Spot MS Early

THURSDAY, March 9 (HealthDay News) -- A spinal fluid protein may prove useful in identifying people with the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis (MS), say researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

FDA Advisers Endorse Return of Multiple Sclerosis Drug

WEDNESDAY, March 8 (HealthDay News) -- A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted unanimously Wednesday to allow the promising but controversial multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri back on the market.

Controversial MS Drug Trial Flawed, Experts Say

FRIDAY, March 3 (HealthDay News) -- Two experts are questioning whether a woman who died of a rare infection after participating in a trial for the multiple sclerosis (MS) drug Tysabri should have been included in the study in the first place.

Betaseron Tests Better Than Avonex to Reduce New MS Brain Lesions

FRIDAY, February 24 (HealthDay News) -- In a head-to-head comparison, the multiple sclerosis (MS) drug Betaseron® appears to be more effective than Avonex® in preventing the development of brain lesions in patients with relapsing remitting MS, Italian researchers report.

Interferon beta-1a May Slow MS Progress Over 5 Years

MONDAY, February 20 (HealthDay News) -- The drug called interferon beta-1a (Avonex®) appears to delay multiple sclerosis for at least five years, researchers report.
_________________
Welcome to my info site, as I call it. I have Multiple Sclerosis in secondary progression stage. I post what I find useful and hope you can help out with a donation of $1 if you can. If not it's ok... thanks Nani