Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
572651 tn?1530999357

Overseas pharmacies

Wondering out loud, here - hypothetically if I wanted to order modafinil (provigil's name)  from Europe, since it does not require a rx there, how would I go about verifying that the place I ordered from would be legit?  Just wondering.........

15 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1251333 tn?1445218215
:-/

I wish we could help each other out in situations like this.  I got a 90 day supply of Provigil and stopped taking it after it started to give me bad headaches. It's just sitting in my drawer.   I'd gladly help you out if I could. It definitely worked for me when it did work.

:-/
Helpful - 0
2034625 tn?1392643292
This is one that I can't buy here in Italy without a prescription.  That is probably because it is fully paid for by the sanitary system so they don't hand them out without a script from a person's doctor.  
Helpful - 0
2112931 tn?1335098402
I have read articles on the FDA website that are warning against purchasing RX drugs from websites in other countries because they have found many of those online pharmacies are not even giving you the drug you think you are buying.  It is very very dangerous.  

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm048396.htm

Check out that article with the link above.

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM204943.pdf
Helpful - 0
572651 tn?1530999357
The initial prescription was rejected because they said it was off label.  My neuro had also scheduled a sleep study for me at the same appt. because I complained of waking with headaches and feeling tired through the day.  We were wondering if it was my MS or if it was sleep apnea. The insurance reversed their denial one day later, after getting more information from the doctor.   He is really good at going to bat with the insurance companies for his patients.

A couple weeks later I had the sleep study done and was dx'd with mild OSA, and I now have a cpap to sleep with, and the provigil rx stays in place.  
Helpful - 0
1045086 tn?1332126422
Does anyone know for sure that modafinil is sold OTC in other countries?
Helpful - 0
738075 tn?1330575844
Wow, OK, this thread answered all kinds of questions for me!  *sigh*

Lulu, when your neuro prescribed Modafinil, did he use specific language like "shift work", of "Narcolepsy", or does your insurance cover "off label" prescribing?  Mine doesn't.   :-(
Helpful - 0
572651 tn?1530999357
I have rx coverage for mine, fortunately, and I don't have to take a trip overseas as much as I would want to,  or order online for my provigil.  A $100 copay gets me a three month supply, which is by far less than the cost of buying it online and definitely beats the cost of a good defense lawyer.  But the question was bouncing around in my head and I thought this wise group would have some thoughts.

It is interesting that this drug is considered so dangerous here in the US while it can be purchased over the counter in Europe.   And it doesn't help that so many people are refused this treatment option, after trying the 30 day trial samples.  
Helpful - 0
382218 tn?1341181487
Excellent analysis, Mary!
Helpful - 0
1045086 tn?1332126422
Raz is right.  Modafinil is still classified as a non-narcotic schedule IV drug in the US.  Non-prescription importation by individual citizens is prohibited.  

I know people in the US order drugs and cigarettes from outside the country to save money, get meds their insurance denies and avoid high taxes.  I don't blame them a bit but doubt their sources are overly secure or long lived.  I do wonder what the custom tag content list says is inside.  

The government sets the regulations.  They are aware foreign suppliers are offering prohibited products to US citizens.  They can seize imported goods, notify the addressed recipient about how to claim it (if they want to claim it) and then just wait.  I'm thinking if we can find companies to sell it to us, the feds can find them too and will shut them down soon.  That would, of course, create some of those 'technical difficulties' that sometimes occur.  Umm, wonder if that sort of thing ever gets resolved?

I’d have to think about how I was going to share this with my doctor.  It couldn’t be documented in a chart without implicating us both.  What if he already refused to order it anyway?  It would be so much harder to work with my docs and get quality health care if I didn’t feel free to disclose all “alternative” treatments I use.

I readily admit I’m not much of a risk taker but this would be too much for me from the legal standpoint alone.  I’m sure my strong inclination to adhere to rules has resulted in a flattened wallet many times over the years.  For me, that still trumps the price of the alternative - be it in dollars, guilt or legal defense.  

I am glad we have a chance to share about things like this hypothetically here on the forum.

Mary
Helpful - 0
382218 tn?1341181487
RazCarver: good to know!!!  Guess I better stay out of drug trafficking.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
wow, those are some hefty numbers
Helpful - 0
1580434 tn?1378596528
Hypothetically,I understand why people do this, but I'm to much a coward.  in the United States, Provigil is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it's illegal to import it from a foreign source. Being caught without a rx could be 5 years and 200,000 fine.

Just a thought to add to the musings.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
egads, me too, but have heard so much about the quality of these products.
count me in with wanting information!
Helpful - 0
1936411 tn?1333831849
Thanks for asking this question Lulu. I've been wondering myself. I'm looking forward to the discussion.
Helpful - 0
382218 tn?1341181487
Hmmmm, good question.  I could try to  pick some up for you this week but I'm not sure if there would be an issue mailing it from Canada to the U.S.  I could ask a pharmacist in Brussels if they can recommend a reputable web site that ships to the U.S?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community

Top Neurology Answerers
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease