Hello from Switzerland

[Charles2021]

Hi everyone, my name is Charles. I have psoriasis since teenage in 1984 (after a serie of strep throat) and as most of us i went throught all kind of treatment from coaltar, steroid, UV, neotigason (30 years)....and luckily I was put under Cosentyx 5 years ago and it has just change my life by solving this issue....
...i have a question though : my wife and I are thinking about moving to Canada... i was wondering if it s possible to receive cosentyx there, and if so, is the treatment refund through the national health insurance, or is it paid by private insurance only? And also would you know how much it cost to pay it without insurance?
It s an important question because the cost of these treatments are so high that it would be hard to self finance them (and i have discovered that the price of cosentyx in the US could cost up to 3x the price in Switzerland...).
Thank you for your help,
Charles

[Caroline]

Hi Charles,

Welcome to Psoriasisclub.

Very good that Cosentyx is helping you so good.

For most of your questions, I don’t know if anyone has an answer, perhaps KatT knows something.
But what I would do at least is contact Novartis. They are the producer so they know where they deliver and probably also know something about funding.

Have fun over here with us. We are also reachable from Canada...

Cheers,
Caroline

[Fred]

Hello Charles  to Psoriasis Club.

Good to hear Cosentyx has given you back your life, as for getting it in Canada like Caroline I'm not sure but KatT may be able to help. I will point her to this thread and see if she can help.

I see you have subscribed to our monthly newsletter, good choice. 

If you also want to get to know some of our members you will find a lot going on in [Group Specific]

Regards.

Fred.

[Kat]

Welcome Charles, glad you found us!

You mention that the cost in the US could cost up to 3x the cost in Switzerland.  Our system is complex and medical costs appear extremely costly due to our insurance system.  I've been on 3 biologics, one cost 0, and the other two were not over $50 per dose (Can't remember the exact cost right now as I just woke up here  ) And one of those two was Cosentyx. I won't go into details as you are asking about Canada but I did want to mention that.

KatT is from Canada and I'm sure she'll be along shortly and can help answer your question.  I'm Kat too, but I'm from the US.

This is a super place with great people who are very supportive.  Again, welcome!

[KatT]

Hi Charles and welcome to the club   


Yes,  Cosentyx is available in Canada and the cost is around $19 000.  

However for me, it didn't cost a penny. I have private insurance from work and the provincial insurance.  The Xpose program paid the difference.

Look on the internet for the Xpose program in Canada for more information. 

Hopefully you will be eligible for funding and it won't cost you anything.

Hope this helps!

Where are you looking to move in Canada?

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Edit by Fred: Phone number removed.

[jiml]

Hi Charles and  to the club I'm glad cosentyx is working well for you and hope you can get it at a reasonable cost if you do move to Canada.
I hope you enjoy the forum as its so full of useful information about psoriasis and its treatments and members experiences . It also has a good off topic section if you want to meet and chat with other members  [Group Specific]

[Charles2021]

Thank you all for your welcome and your answers...quite useful and friendly! 
KatT, we want to go to Vancouver... my wife come from there, and I have to admit, Brittish Columbia looks like a great place to live!

[KatT]

It is although I've never visited! And warmer than the rest of Canada   

Look into the BC medical plan which is the provincial health care plan you would be covered  under.

[Charles2021]

Thank you KatT!

[D Foster]

Hi Charles a warm welcome to the club, Canada is a place I nearly moved to myself a few years ago, my son lived in Winnipeg Manitoba , not a place that I liked but we looked at some apartments in Toronto overlooking the harbour.
I am sure that any questions that you want to know about psoriasis can be found on here so jump in .