The high cost of multiple sclerosis treatments has forced 40% of patients to take “drastic actions” and alter their use of the medicines, such as cutting back or skipping dosages altogether. And many report the financial burden is not only hurting their lifestyle, but impairing their ability to save for retirement or college for their children, a new survey found.
For instance, 14% reported they switched to a generic, despite being satisfied with their existing treatment; 12% stopped using their medication for a period of time; 9% skipped or delayed filling a prescription; and 8% took less of their medicine than prescribed, according to the survey by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Meanwhile, the out-of-pocket costs associated with the medicines meant that 25% of the nearly 600 patients who responded to the survey spent less on themselves. In addition, 16% saved less for retirement or college, 11% spent less on groceries, 9% postponed paying other bills, 4% postponed retirement, and 2% took a second job.
About the Author Reprints
It’s horrible enough having this disease let alone having to worry about whether or not my insurance will continue to cover Aubagio. MS one to one thankfully covers the ridiculous co-pay. I have had MS 25 years and grateful to be fully functioning and still in the workforce. That would not be possible today without my medication
I’ve been on rituxan for several years then at Kaiser they changed the protocol and now I haven’t had an infusion for over a year been on no meds at all and when my counts do go up I will be given a different infusion that is a “copy” of rituxan biosimular
At an lower cost to kaiser and me I think.
I have had to reduce or stop taking Many of my M. S. Meds through the years. I was dx’d wit M.S. 32+ years ago. Now I am just taking meds for the symptons…:(