Re: Xolair in Canada - also regarding rashes/hives

[Guest guest]

RE Xolair approval in Canada - , ball in your court. (

was the 2nd person in Canada to get Xolair after it got approved, or

something like that.)

RE: Skin irritations. I used to get terrible hives after gardening

despite wearing long sleeves and pants. These would progress into

something much worse and eventually require prednisone and

antibiotics. Since starting Xolair, this type of allergic reaction,

as well as my terrible allergic rhinitis, has improved tremendously.

Addy

--- In , " " <justinlouisville@...>

wrote:

>

> Hello,

> I have been chatting with someone in Canada who has horrible

problems

> with rashes and hives on her face. I have a few questions for all

you

> Xolair gurus, and I would like to pass your answers on to her!

>

> 1) Is Xolair approved for use in Canada? If so, is it only

approved for

> allergic asthma like in the US? Is it difficult to get the state

health

> care system to pay for it?

>

> 2) Has Xolair helped relieve anyone's rashes and/or hives? I'd

love to

> be able to pass on some success stories to her!

>

> Thank you!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pamela and I are the Canadian connection here.

In answer to your questions

1) Only indicated for allergic asthma. Approved Nov. 2004 by Health Canada.

They started prescribing it in March 2005. The sit with insurance depends on

your province. Some have provincial drug plans. Generally Xolair is not approved

by them since they do not believe the cost is justified (prednisone is cheap).

In Quebec, you can apply and beg under the patient of exception rule and some

cases have been covered. If you have private insurance, it is much easier than

in the US. I got approved 100% no questions asked. I don't think Pamela had much

trouble other than paperwork issues. If you have no insurance, you can't have

it. 760$ CAN a vial plus dispensing fees. If she wants info, she can call the

Xhale program which distributes Xolair for all of Canada. 1-866-9Xolair

2) We have on pt in my doc's office who had asthma + hives. It fixed the hives

totally.

Hope this helps. There are still less than 1000 pts on Xolair in Canada. I was

# 12!

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the information Addy, , and ! I will pass it

on!

Thanks again,

, 32, Louisville