I'm a bit shocked and disappointed at reading of the trouble people are having
with
the cost of enbrel.

I'm in Sydney Australia and feel very lucky. (I'm assuming a lot of people on
this list
are in the USA. I know there are some from other parts of the world).

My specialist is currently trying to get me on a enbrel trail program at the
local
hospital. (Nothing else has worked). Enbrel is not available in Australia yet,
(to the
best of my knowledge), as its still under going these trials.

The cost to me will be effectively nothing for the trails. Beyond my time.
Once the drug is available for prescription it will probably cost me a few
dollars for
each prescription. (Hopefully).

The reason is that it will be on the Australian PBS list. The "Pharmacuitical
Benefit
Scheme" is government run and pays most of the cost for a range of expensive
drugs.
The patient pays very little. (Its part of our public health system). Its one of
those
government schemes that you really don't appreciate until you need it.
Especially
when you need a drug like enbrel and the costs is thousands per month.

Currently I'm a bit nervous about the "Free Trade Agreement" the Australian and
American governments are working on. Its been said that it could cause a lot of
problems for the PBS if its signed. I've leave the reader to work out why.