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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Can I get Infliximab for Ulcerative Colitis in Australia?
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I am an Italian boy who would like to go to Australia for one year for studying. I got Ulcerative colitis and I am taking Infliximab through intravenous injection once every eight weeks followed by my doctors here in Italy. I saw Remicade Infliximab is used only in European Union, but the active principle is just Infliximab, which I think is used all over the world.
Is it possible to continue taking it in Australia? Would I have to pay? If yes, approximately how much? -
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Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith
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My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile
Infliximab is a listed medication on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) so it is available here (see http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/pbs/drugs1/crohns.jsp . )
There is a “Reciprocal Health Care Agreement” between Italy and Australia - more information here: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/reciprocal-health-care-agreements . That *probably* means that you would be entitled to PBS-subsidised medication here.
The Australian embassy in Italy should be able to help you about this and also advise you about whether you should take out private medical insurance to cover your health expenses while you are here (this will probably depend on the nature of your visa as a student here).Report this post
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Thanks
KathyHealthShare Member
Sorry but Infliximab (Remicaide) is not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for Ulcerative Colitis - it is on for Crohns Disease and other things but not UC. See this link http://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/4284L-5753T-5754W-5755X-5756Y-5757B-5758C-6397Q-6448J-6496X-9612X-9613Y-9617E-9654D-9674E
You may need to talk with your doctors about this, as there may be other optionsReport this post
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