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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Grouch on August 6, 2001, at 20:48:06
This Boston Globe article refers specifically to seniors importing drugs from Canada via the Internet, but also applies to anyone importing drugs to the U.S. from any country for personal use. Not encouraging...http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/218/metro/Despite_US_law_seniors_click_on_Canada_for_drugs+.shtml
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 6, 2001, at 22:20:09
In reply to FDA cracking down on personal drug importation?, posted by Grouch on August 6, 2001, at 20:48:06
Oh dear God I hope this doesn't affect my Reboxetine shipment that I ordered from Anti-Aging Systems.
Posted by Grouch on August 6, 2001, at 22:38:04
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation? » Grouch, posted by SalArmy4me on August 6, 2001, at 22:20:09
> Oh dear God I hope this doesn't affect my Reboxetine shipment that I ordered from Anti-Aging Systems.
I wouldn't panic just yet. I thought the jist of the article was that the FDA would like to stop drug importation altogether but doesn't yet have the manpower, legislation, etc. to do so. It also implied that some members of Congress are imposed to an importation ban.
Posted by grendel on August 6, 2001, at 23:07:43
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation? » SalArmy4me, posted by Grouch on August 6, 2001, at 22:38:04
> > Oh dear God I hope this doesn't affect my Reboxetine shipment that I ordered from Anti-Aging Systems.
>
> I wouldn't panic just yet. I thought the jist of the article was that the FDA would like to stop drug importation altogether but doesn't yet have the manpower, legislation, etc. to do so. It also implied that some members of Congress are imposed to an importation ban.Is there any reasonable rationale for the ban, or is it just the FDA protecting its turf?
The FDA, IMO, is WAY too powerful and arbitrary. No real oversight, and the consumer is bound by their decree. SCary stuff.
Posted by KarenB on August 7, 2001, at 1:44:28
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation?, posted by grendel on August 6, 2001, at 23:07:43
So the FDA doesn't like us importing meds? Of course they don't. The BIG BOYS are losing $!
This brings up my long time question as to why European drugs such as Sulpiride which have been successful, safe and time-tested for years are still not approved in this country. I have recently thought about changing back to Sulpiride from Geodon. Although Geodon has been reasonably effective, NOTHING has worked for me quite like Sulpiride, for ruminating thoughts, social anxiety and control of hypomania.
For those of you on monotherapy that is working, God bless you. But for some of us, sadly, it's not quite that simple.
And, just so you don't think I am utterly anti FDA: Neurontin, FDA approved, may just be my ticket to the real world. Time and sanity will tell.
Hope the reboxetine works for you, Sal. Let us know, OK?
Karen
Posted by kazoo on August 7, 2001, at 2:15:34
In reply to FDA cracking down on personal drug importation?, posted by Grouch on August 6, 2001, at 20:48:06
> This Boston Globe article refers specifically to seniors importing drugs from Canada via the Internet, but also applies to anyone importing drugs to the U.S. from any country for personal use. Not encouraging...
> http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/218/metro/Despite_US_law_seniors_click_on_Canada_for_drugs+.shtml
^^^^^^^^^^And you can thank those Goddamn Republicans, and that MORON in the White House, for this mess.
Whatever happened to that "S-F-B" Kessler, former chief of the FDA?
("This has been a paid political announcement from the United Federation of Planets")
(a liberal) Kazoo
Posted by jotho on August 7, 2001, at 9:38:25
In reply to FDA cracking down on personal drug importation?, posted by Grouch on August 6, 2001, at 20:48:06
>Hey Grouch...
I have been attempting to buy amisulpride from several overseas pharmacies (that until only recently were selling it) and was told I needed a prescription, even though it is not a controlled substance. They have been pressured by the FDA, I am quite sure, so sales of drugs in this country are protected. Your article just reinforces my suspicions and tells me that this administration is really against free trade (on an individual basis i.e. us buying a drug from the cheapest supplier).
jotho
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 7, 2001, at 9:42:31
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation? » Grouch, posted by jotho on August 7, 2001, at 9:38:25
Try this site:
http://www.smart-drugs.net/antidepressants.htm
Posted by jotho on August 7, 2001, at 10:40:53
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation? » jotho, posted by SalArmy4me on August 7, 2001, at 9:42:31
Hi SalArmy...
Thanks...I have used IAS several times (last order was adrafinil about a month ago) and they are very reliable, though they take 3-4 weeks to deliver. Unfortunately, I saw nothing of amisulpride on their list, unless I am unfamiliar with all its non-generic names.
Also, at the top of their page, is a link to writings by Dr. Ward Dean, who wrote a compelling piece on advocating the benefits of GHB (A natural metabolite that I believe is grossly misrepresented as an evil, horrible drug) and something that has recently been discussed on the board.
If i am wrong about IAS and amisulpride please let me know, I would gladly order it from them....thanks for your support to the board as well as to me....john
Posted by Ted on August 7, 2001, at 11:14:55
In reply to FDA cracking down on personal drug importation?, posted by Grouch on August 6, 2001, at 20:48:06
My parents vacation in Mexico every year from Oct - May. They buy all their medications in the Mexican pharmacies. The only drugs in Mexico which need a written prescription are narcotics and other addictive drugs, though benzodiazepines are excluded. The cost, however, is net (in pesos), so for those with any prescription insurance at all, it is usually not a good deal even with the wholesale discounts.
The FDA claims a "safety" issue -- that is a bunch of BOVINE FECAL MATTER! Most of the US drug manufacturers actually make their drugs in Mexico because of the reduced labor costs. These are the same drugs made by the same companies. (In fact, my cat and I both needed antibiotic eye ointment for [unrelated] eye infections. I was really peeved to see that we both had the IDENTICAL medication and my cat's was only about 20% the cost of mine.)
The comment about protecting the drug companies' $$$$ is the real and only answer.
BTW: My parents said that they were told by a US Customs agent at the border that they could bring any drug for which they had a US prescription AND they could only bring at most a 90 day supply. Not that anybody asks or checks at the border, mind you.... :-)
Posted by jotho on August 7, 2001, at 11:24:49
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation?, posted by Ted on August 7, 2001, at 11:14:55
BINGO!
Posted by Elizabeth on August 7, 2001, at 15:56:44
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation? » Grouch, posted by jotho on August 7, 2001, at 9:38:25
> I have been attempting to buy amisulpride from several overseas pharmacies (that until only recently were selling it) and was told I needed a prescription, even though it is not a controlled substance.
"Controlled substances" are a subset of Rx-only drugs. There are plenty of drugs that aren't "controlled" but that do require a prescription.
> They have been pressured by the FDA, I am quite sure, so sales of drugs in this country are protected.
That seems likely. A problem with the FDA is that many of the people working there have ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
-elizabeth
Posted by jotho on August 7, 2001, at 21:45:51
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation? » jotho, posted by Elizabeth on August 7, 2001, at 15:56:44
Hi Elizabeth...
Thank you for your clarification.
Also, it does seem somewhat suspect that a policy allowing specific sales would be suddenly changed tho no congruent laws were passed prohibiting such transactions. I'd bet dollars-to-krispy Kremes that the industrie's influence weighs mightily, way too mightily, on those decisions.
....john
Posted by Grouch on August 7, 2001, at 21:55:57
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation?, posted by grendel on August 6, 2001, at 23:07:43
> Is there any reasonable rationale for the ban, or is it just the FDA protecting its turf?
> The FDA, IMO, is WAY too powerful and arbitrary. No real oversight, and the consumer is bound by their decree. SCary stuff.
It sure is. The thing that always stands out in these news stories is that the FDA never justifies its position. To them, drug importation for personal use is "illegal", but there's no mention of the specific laws being broken. In contrast, the proponents of drug importation go to great lengths to site laws and legislation to prove that it IS legal. But that doesn't help much if the FDA arbitrarily decides to seize your package. Seems like the FDA is above the law!
Posted by Elizabeth on August 8, 2001, at 5:31:28
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation?, posted by Grouch on August 7, 2001, at 21:55:57
> It sure is. The thing that always stands out in these news stories is that the FDA never justifies its position. To them, drug importation for personal use is "illegal", but there's no mention of the specific laws being broken. In contrast, the proponents of drug importation go to great lengths to site laws and legislation to prove that it IS legal. But that doesn't help much if the FDA arbitrarily decides to seize your package. Seems like the FDA is above the law!
Not even the government is above the law. Wasn't that the whole deal about having a Constitution and stuff?
(I think the agency seizing your package would be Customs, not the FDA, BTW.)
-elizabeth
Posted by Ted on August 8, 2001, at 11:31:51
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation? » Grouch, posted by Elizabeth on August 8, 2001, at 5:31:28
Elizabeth,
> Not even the government is above the law. Wasn't that the whole deal about having a Constitution and stuff?
Such naievete! The Constitution is for you and me. The politicians can do as they please. Just look at the amount of pork in Washington.
Ted
Posted by Grouch on August 8, 2001, at 20:23:47
In reply to Re: FDA cracking down on personal drug importation? » Grouch, posted by Elizabeth on August 8, 2001, at 5:31:28
> (I think the agency seizing your package would be Customs, not the FDA, BTW.)
When Customs receives a package that contains a drug they hand it over to FDA personnel who decide whether to detain, refuse, or allow entry of the item. There are no strict rules governing this process; the FDA officials will use their own discretion to decide in each case.
Here's a link for more info:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/rpm_new2/ch9pers.html
This is the end of the thread.
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