CyprusLiving

My friend has osteoporosis. Is anyone taking Denosumab for osteoporosis? Can you get it through the Cyprus health system?

To start things off, your friend should see one of the GPs at the General Hospital and to get them to request a bone density scan (could be a couple of months waiting, depending on urgency). Once this is done and the GP has the results, if required they will prescribe something. I know this doesn't really answer the question but if your friend is already on some medication then the GP might prescribe something immediately.

Thank you very much. My friend has had a bone density scan done in England and her consultant has prescribed Denosumab and she was wondering if she can get it in Cyprus. I will tell her what you suggest though.

I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis after a bone density scan (DEXA) about 12 years ago in the UK and until a couple of months ago was taking a 70mg Alendronic Acid tablet once a week. On a visit to a GP at the General Hospital for a repeat prescription he said 5-7 years was the maximum recommended and said to stop taking it. The internet confirmed that. Apparently, prolonged dosage actually makes the jaw bone brittle, such that tooth extractions can result in a break!

Thanks very much. Actually, my friend used to take Alendronic Acid but was switched to Strontium Ranelate some years ago - unfortunately, it is not working too well for her which is why the consultant prescribed Denosumab.

I think if you want to get a medicine through the Cypriot Health Service you may have to go through the procedure I outlined. This way you may not get the drugs prescribed in UK. However if you go straight to a private pharmacy and are prepared to pay the full cost, then you should be able to get the same drug as prescribed in UK.

You pays your money and takes your choice.

If you take whatever drug is prescribed by a GP at the hospital this will cost €0.50 per item on the prescription (plus €3.00 for a GP consultation or €6.00 for a specialist consultation). If you pay at the pharmacy, I have no idea of what it could cost

Of course you have to qualify to use the Cypriot NHS beforehand, which is another story.

Thanks - I will pass on this information!

Denosumab is marketed here under the name of PROLIA SOLUTION FOR INJECTION 60MG at a cost of €256.46, so best go to the General Hospital & pay €0.50

Medicine price list http://www.moh.gov.cy/Moh/phs/phs.nsf/d ... enDocument

First of all you have to 'qualify' for treatment under the Cypriot NHS.

To do this you have to be registered in the Immigration Dept. and get your yellow slip.

Then you go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and explain that you want to receive treatment under the Cypriot NHS. This may mean providing proof that you are receiving a UK state pension.

If OK you should receive a white card through the post. Take this along to the registration desk at the General Hospital and they will open a file for you. You should receive a file to keep all the various doctor's notes, test results etc. Most people keep this file with them and when attending the hospital clinics they take the file with them.

You should also be given a prescription pad.

This all will take weeks and when you actually get to see a GP/Specialist, this does not necessarily mean that you will be given your drug of choice, but maybe a generic alternative.

Thanks to both of you for the additional information - will pass it on.

My sister living here was diagnosed with fairly serious osteoporosis by a private hospital despite having a Cyprus health card. She was recommended to have an intravenous injection (one each year) which cost about €700. The doctor said that she would get nothing like that at the General Hospital.

Thank you very much for this - will try a GP first and see what happens.