Kickas.org Forums Rheumatoid Arthritis General Discussion #1 RA Web Support Group Lengthy Stay in France - Obtaining Enbrel

I am from California and take Enbrel for rheumatoid arthritis. I am planning a lengthy stay in France. Does anyone know is it is just a matter of going to a doctor for a prescription and what the cost of the Enbrel is compared to the United States? Do the doctors in France accept the prescription I will bring with me from my American doctor?

I cant say that I knoe for sure, but, We chose to get single dose antegins for my toddler some years back. We did not have luck with Merck b/c they were only manufacuting the MMR vaccine (suspected of causing more autisim).
SO, we asked out peadtic to write out the script for the vaccine. A collegue at the time travelled to france, handed it to the pharmacist and paid something like $5 for it made by a French firm (becasue their colonies abroad needed the vacine, so France was producing it).

With Embrel - you need to make contact with a pharmacy and somehow ask what they need
or
can your insurance company express flight it to you since it is packed in ice?

You can always contact the American Consulate in Paris or Marseille - depending where you will be and ask about their experience with this.

Some times when travelling, I have left the dose at home, and then inject once I get back - but I'm only talking a week, no more.

Hope you can find the answer....

France - I live in France. Only a consultant can script for the biotherapies. Will need to have an appointment booked with a rheumatologist, either pvt or hospital appointed.

No, you will not be able to use any other prescription -- but bring a prescription anyway, so as to 'show' validity. Bring your medical notes with you, together with all radiographs / MRIs etc. Also bring a report and letter with you from your specialist together with a report from your own GP in CA.

You will need to find a GP here in France - that is yr first step -
You will need to wait six months before you can come under CPAM health service - are you student or working ?
Suggest contacting embassy / consultate -
Enbrel is v. expensive, may be able to get pvt insurance -
Whereabouts will you be based ?

Not at all easy getting cover on the French health service - it aint a freebie free-for-all -

Useful background - French healthcare - http://www.comparatorreports.se/RA%20Barrier%20Report_France_%20FINAL_050110.pdf

Support system -
http://www.enbrel.com/index.jspx

Cannot find price of Enbrel in France but 'think' soome where between €1250 - €2000 per month. Hope one of the French members of KA see yr post, they should be able to help better than myself.

Hope all goes well -

Just fallen over this : http://www.ronankavanagh.ie/blog/emigration-and-arthritis/
Suggest reading through the article - it is short - and also read the comments section. One poster speaks of visiting France, getting a prescription which she could 'present anywhere in Europe', but the cost of Enbrel in France being €1053 per month. You would still have to get the prescription from a rheumatologist.

I went to France for a few weeks in about 2006. I was on enbrel, and just took a couple of shots with me on the plane, in a small cooler (just asked for more ice on the plane when needed). I had copies of the original prescription as well as a note and contact info from my doctors stating the drug was necessary for me. I didn't have any problems at all bringing it into France with that documentation. Have a great trip!

I know this is old topic but I just wanted to share my experience.
Im Indonesian, diagnosed As in Indonesia, when I moved to Amsterdam I had to do another test and waited for few months to get the apporval to use enbrel. Then when I moved to Nurenberg, again I cannot automatically get Enbrel, especially if it is covered by insurance. In order for the Doctor to perscribe you Enbrel, I believe they have to do few tests.

So the best way is to bring Enbrel with you enough for your stay, or using the perscription translated to local language and buy it personally in the pharmacy.

In NL for 4x50mg is €1200ish, DE about the same, now I am in Barcelona and it costs me €1050, im guessing in FR maximum would be €1200.

Btw in Eurole it is licensed by pfizer

Bring your prescription, PLUS a note from your rheumatologist saying that you have ....... and are on Enbrel and have been on Enbrel since ..... (Fill in the gaps). Sign in with a GP - any GP will do. THEN will have to get referred to a rheumatologist in order to get a repeat prescription made up for you.
IF in Paris, go to the CHU Cochin, Prof Dougados hangs out there. He is international figure, he will sort a prescription. BUT will have to be referred...he speaks v. good English.
IF Brest, go see Prof Alan Saraux - speaks good English. Or for Rennes, Prof Alith Perdriger - she does not speak much English and it is diff to get an appointment, booked up.

BTW - you can make the appointments *before coming over. Then will just have to sign up with a GP.

The French have tightened up - and they *love paperwork <lol>

Meantime, bring sufficient Enbrel over with you to last several weeks, at least a couple of months. Can keep well cold in a flask filled with ice (be prepared for the airlines to be funny on this one !) or, any pharmacy will have cold bags - diabetics have to carry their insulin in cold bags.

Have fun in France -