Ben,
The system here in Australia is a little different to most places. The government subsids most medication, that means they can regulate who gets what and it means that most medications cost about $A25 per dispensary. All the TNF drugs are authority drugs, that means the prescibing doctor has to apply to the government for the drug. Remicade is the only one approved for AS so far, it also requires a 30 page application document. If Enbrel was avaliable I would be just as happy to try that - I'm at a point where I'll try everything as my current cocktail isn't doing a great deal to stop the progresssion of my disease. I can buy the drug without subsidy but that would cost me about $A30,000 per year, as I don't earn a great deal more than this I can't afford it. We do have private insurance but doesn't really cover medications (especially if you are getting it without the subsidy), so you see things are a bit difficult.
Any way hope this helps you to understand our prediciment.
Take care and keep smiling,
Rose
