My best friend's mom was started on dialysis and has been getting Recormon. It is very very expensive and can hardly get it. Help!

Hi Donna, I got your voicemail message, as well as your e-mail about this.

It's sad that the question of cost always comes up for the use of erythropoietin (EPO) for a patient on dialysis, because it's a quality-of-life issue. In many countries EPO is approved for the treatment of renal patients on dialysis (meaning that either the state's drug funding agency, or health insurance companies will cover 100% of the cost). Do you have a government-run drug funding agency in Jamaica? If the doctors treating your friend's mother are unwilling to apply for funding, your friend may need to approach the drug funding agency directly and see if any assistance is available to help with the cost. Some health insurance companies will underwrite the expense of giving a patient Recormon, if a doctor writes a letter asking for it.

Sorry I can't be of any more help. We are trying to get our own drug funding agency to approve the use of Recormon for surgical and cancer patients. While they have declined to do this per se, they have indicated that hospitals my apply for funding on a case-by-case basis. You may need to go over the doctor's head and speak to someone senior.

Do, please, let me know if you have any success.

Best wishes

David Ampleford

Hi David,
Thanks for your reply. I will have her check into the funding from the government. In the meantime, I am in the states so they'll have to do the leg work. Is it possible for me to pay for a month's supply and have it sent there, being cheaper in New Zealand? I'll get her doctor's information in the meantime.

http://www.procrit.com/

http://www.orthobiotech.com/

http://www.amgen.com/

Here are the best sources of information. All we can do is guess! Amgen makes the drug. Ortho Biotech distributes it for some specialties.

Jan

__________________
Mr. Jan B. Wade
Blood Management Consultant
Enhance Outcomes - Control Cost
For Information Call - 360 296-1807
Email

I will make some inquiries as to the cost, but with the added cost of shipping it from here, your friend might find it cheaper to import the Amgen product from the U.S.

David A.

Donna, could I please have your e-mail address and I'll write to you direct.

David A.

Can see about any programs they might have for low or no income.

---------------------------------

Thank you for your interest in PROCRIT® (epoetin alfa). Your request for information has been forwarded to the Medical Information Group in Ortho Biotech Clinical Affairs, LLC.
Outside of the United States Ortho Biotech markets epoetin alfa under the brand name EPREX®.
For information about Eprex indications in Jamaica, you may contact:

JANSSEN-CILAG CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN OFFICE
Canoa No. 79
Col. Tizapan, San Angel
C.P. 01090
Mexico, D.F.
Telephone 52 55 5327 2400

Thank you again for your interest in Ortho Biotech

__________________
Mr. Jan B. Wade
Blood Management Consultant
Enhance Outcomes - Control Cost
For Information Call - 360 296-1807
Email