General Question

tedibear's avatar

U.S. jellies, what experience do you have with ordering drugs via the mail from Canada?

Asked by tedibear (19304points) August 12th, 2018
9 responses
“Great Question” (2points)

My husband has a prescription drug that he needs to take in its name brand form. (The generic versions leave him unable to be more than 20 steps from a bathroom.) Most insurance companies have stopped covering it because of the cost. A 90 day supply now costs about $20,000. His doctor switched him to something else, but it’s not working.

The drug is available in Canada for $400 for a 90 day supply.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

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Answers

Adagio's avatar

I wish you luck @tedibear, that US price is appalling, do insurance companies there not have an appeal option, so people for whom drugs just don’t suit/work, for some reason or another, can make a submission to have an exception made?

Adagio (14059points)“Great Answer” (1points)
snowberry's avatar

Is there any chance you could move close to the Canadian border? Then you could go there yourself to get it.

snowberry (27644points)“Great Answer” (0points)
chyna's avatar

I work in a doctors office and we get drug representatives all the time. All have told us that if a patient needs help with paying for their drugs to contact the drug company and they will help. Examples are Pfizer, Mylan, etc. I have never personally tried this, but the reps say they really help. Also, have you looked at Goodrx.com?
My SIL uses this site and gets her prescriptions at a fraction of the cost.

chyna (51300points)“Great Answer” (2points)
elbanditoroso's avatar

I personally have not ordered from Canada. I have at least one friend who has, and his deliveries have all come through just fine – no issues with customs or quality or anything else.

elbanditoroso (33145points)“Great Answer” (1points)
snowberry's avatar

There may be restrictions on medications you can import into the US. But the website should be able to tell you.

snowberry (27644points)“Great Answer” (1points)
tedibear's avatar

@Adagio – there is an appeals process, but the insurance customer service representative told me that there has never been a successful appeal on this drug. All of the pharmacy management groups for insurance companies have taken Glumetza off their formularies. (At least those I know about.)

@chyna – when I looked at GoodRx last year, with a coupon, the price came down to about $4,000 for 90 days. When I spoke to our pharmacy, I was told that they don’t always honor the coupon price.

@elbanditoroso – My biggest concern is making sure we find a reputable pharmacy online. If you have a moment, could you ask your friend which pharmacy they use? I would be very grateful!

@snowberry – we’re not far from Canada, about a four hour drive. It would just be nice to do it by mail. This particular medication wouldn’t be restricted, based on what I read on the FDA website.

All – Thank you so much for your input.

tedibear (19304points)“Great Answer” (2points)
zenvelo's avatar

I have ordered prescriptions filled over the phone with a pharmacy in British Columbia. All has gone well, it took about a week before it arrived in California.

zenvelo (39407points)“Great Answer” (1points)
tedibear's avatar

@zenvelo – would you be willing to PM me the company that you used? Pretty please with a sammich on top?

tedibear (19304points)“Great Answer” (1points)
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