Medication for Multiple Sclerosis - Copaxone 40mg/ml

Life Health & Fitness
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Hi I’m moving to Taiwan in a couple of months and I want to know if I can get my MS medication there. The medication is Copaxone (Glatiramer Acetate is the chemical name); dosage 40 mg/ml (three injections a week).

I’m bringing a few months supply with me, but I’ll need to source more once that’s finished. In Ireland, I have to get the prescription from a neurologist, would I need to do the same in Taiwan or can you get directly from a pharmacist? Any information on the cost, as well, would be great.

Any information from someone with (or know’s someone with) MS would great.
Thanks

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You need doctor’s prescription, but the medicine is available in Taiwan. If you can enroll NHI, you would get it at a hospital with low cost.

This is a Taiwanese association of MS. They may know more. I’m not sure they would reply to an English mail, but attached their email address below.

http://www.ms.org.tw/ap/news_list.aspx?bid=14
angelinlei(at)gmail.com

Info on taiwanese FDA site
20mg
https://www.fda.gov.tw/MLMS/H0001D.aspx?Type=Lic&LicId=70000033

40mg
https://www.fda.gov.tw/MLMS/H0001D.aspx?Type=Lic&LicId=70000035

3 Likes
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I meant to say thanks so much, it’s exactly what I was looking for

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I only recently inquired about getting this medication here in Taiwan. I’m just back from an appointment with a neurologist in Kaohsiung University Hospital. They said the medication’s cost is not covered by National Health Insurance but by some medical association. However the association does not cover the cost for non-Taiwanese citizens. It would cost me NT$2188 per syringe or NT$26,256 per month. Does anyone know if it’s possible to get some of this cost covered? Maybe with private health insurance?

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With private insurance you have to disclose you have MS. Which would drive the premium up.