HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Drug Mafia

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/31/2010 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all UC Patients,
I was diagnosed with UC few years back and tried every medication (ASA, Rowasa Enema, Prednisone, Immuno-Suppresants, Remicade, VSL-3, etc). I have been hospitalized four times in last two years. Finally I met a doctor in UK who prescribed Asacol Foam Enema. I was unable to get into remission for last so many years with all drugs, however, with this foam enema, I got in full remission in just few weeks. I was surprised to find that drug industry that makes Enemas for UC has been dominated by company that makes Rowasa Enema (Israeli Company). I am shocked to find that Rowasa has complete monopoly over this industry. How can they get away with this. This is a clear criminal act. How come FDA is not allowing the safe to use Mesalazine Enema, which has been used for years in Europe and Canada? I am not certain how I can spread the word so that all UC patients who are suffering can get benefited. Please spread the word and let CCFA know that this drug needs to be made available in US. I have to buy it from UK or Canada at my own expenses. This is outrageous when I am paying so much for insurance. Please advise.
Posted 8/31/2010 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
It's not just Asacol foam that is unavailable. Entocort enemas and salofalk tablets are also unavailable. I think the problem has to do with such things as patent infringement issues, the cost of FDA approval, or fear of lawsuits.

This country is so dominated by lawyers it's just unbelievable.
Posted 8/31/2010 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
If I understood your post correctly, are you saying that there are no Mesalamine enema preparations available in the US? Mesalamine has nothing to do with patent anymore. AFAIK, its expired. I use generic Mesalamine Enema. In Sweden, the drug Mesalamine is sold by 8 different companies (http://tinyurl.com/3xedo7p) in various dosage forms !!!

Can you check with your pharmacists about the reason?
Posted 8/31/2010 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
So you did not have remission using oral Asacol, then you had the foam and got remission?
I'm wondering why my doctor did not advise me the foam.
Posted 8/31/2010 10:18 AM (GMT 0)
Ok I hadn't cause I have pancolitis so the foam seem to be useless.
Posted 8/31/2010 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Delta -
Rowasa enemas are available in the US as are Canasa suppositories - just not the foam.
Between the laws and the Food and Drug Administration's bureaucratic tape......
Let's hope it does get oked here sooner than later.
Posted 8/31/2010 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
asdruable...you need to treat BOTH ends...regardless of the extent of your UC. Asacol won't deal with the rectum....and since that's where your flares start and heal last, you will always have that inflammation if you're not using rectal meds.

q
Posted 9/4/2010 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
I guess the reason I was not going in remission before using all medications was because like pointed above is the inflamation starts in rectum & oral medications really don't work in rectum. It's important to treat it with decent enema & foam enemas work best because foam spreads very well in colon & can be easily retained.
Posted 9/4/2010 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Monopoly of Rowasa Enema in US needs to be ended.
Posted 9/4/2010 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
The whole health care system in the UC needs to be revamped.
Posted 9/4/2010 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
I read in the American College of GI newsletter this week something about the mesalamine foam, indicating to me that it's in the FDA process in the US right now.
(Finally.)
Posted 9/4/2010 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
friends, my gi prescribed me a mesalamine suppository 500mg every other day and it seems to be more useful than 2400mg oral mesalamine. I'm wondering why he did not prescribed the foam. Is it true that the foam is difficult to be retained because it causes a lot of gas as i read in italian boards?
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply