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Drugs from Canada

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/21/2015 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
My insurance is no longer covering my Asacol HD starting January so I was wondering about ordering from Canada.
1. How do you order from Canada?
2. Is it legal?
3.Do I need to send them a prescription from my doctor?
Thanks!
Posted 11/21/2015 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
I get all my Pentasa from Jan Drugs in Canada, you need to sent them a copy of your prescription via email, and then send the original prescription in the post to them.
Posted 11/21/2015 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
You're talking Canadian online pharmacies and not specific store pharmacies? Just for clarity...
Posted 11/21/2015 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy, Actually, I have no idea what I am talking about....just heard you can get prescriptions from Canada. It is all new to me.
Posted 11/22/2015 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
I have ordered from some online pharmacies.
/www.pharmacychecker.com/brand/price-comparison/asacol+hd/800+mg/

You can compare some prices at the link above. You do need a script but a photo copy should be fine. It's actually pretty easy and convenient to order.

Can you appeal to get coverage through your insurance? Can you try to get assistance from the manufacturer? If not, then ordering from Canada might be a good option. Looking at the prices, it still seems pretty costly.
Posted 11/22/2015 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
It's preferred to order locally, if it's possible. However, with high deductible insurance plans or plans with very restrictive formulary list there may be no choice. Ask your doctor for a paper copy of your prescription, you don't have to tell your doctor where you're getting your prescription from. You'll have to provide an image of it to the Canadian pharmacy (and maybe the original as well).

Is it legal to buy medications from Canadian pharmacies? The answer is, technically no, but U.S. officials are allowing it to happen. Here's a link that talks about that more: http://www.elderlawanswers.com/buying-prescription-drugs-from-canada-legal-or-illegal-1204
Posted 11/24/2015 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Ipoop - what is the preference to order locally?
If the cost savings is significant without sacrificing drug effectiveness - why not order from Canada?
Posted 11/24/2015 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Ordering drugs from Canada has two disadvantages, despite those drugs being cheaper:
1.) Insurance doesn't cover any of it, total out of pocket. Best if you either don't have insurance, or your high deductible plan has some crazy dollar cap you'll not reach in a year.
2.) It's more work on your part, rather than having your doctor send the prescription electronically to your local pharmacy (or mail order) and it arriving at your door, you got to get a paper copy, follow the website pharmacies rules (mail/photocopy/etc), same with renewals, typically prescriptions are good for X number of refills, until you need to repeat said process.

Another thought is since it's without insurance, the amount doesn't go toward your out of pocket maximum, your general deductible etc. Add a year of meds, plus a colonoscopy, plus doctors visits, and other random things cumulatively might get you out of said caps.
Posted 11/24/2015 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Our great (sarcasm) US of A health care system leaves me no other option :

Activas, the maker of AsacolHD,offers no assistance nor rebates for the drug when uninsured or when the drug is not on insurance formularies as is the case for individual health insurance policies.

Your case for more difficulty for filling the prescription is weak ... the doc's office only has to fax a prescription - minimal additional effort. Certainly a lot less effort for the doc's than filing (highly unlikely positive outcome of) an appeal with the insurer!

Post Edited (UC prisoner) : 11/23/2015 8:49:34 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/24/2015 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
I have done my homework and the Dr. has told me they usually don't accept the appeal unless I have tried all other drugs or have allergies to other drugs...It looks lie I am going to switch to a new drug. Just praying it works as well as Asacol HD and that it has no side effects or me. Thanks all for your input.
Posted 11/24/2015 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'd be very interested in hearing which drug you ultimate settle on and how long it takes for you and your doctor to arrive at the alternative med that works. Good luck.

I have about a year's AsacolHD/Delzicol supply and probably will hold off changing for awhile. Gotta love this system where the insurer decides on the best treatment - why do we have a doctor?
Posted 11/24/2015 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I will keep you posted...I believe my choices are balsalazide, APRISO, LIALDA, or PENTASA
Posted 11/24/2015 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Lialda would likely be the closest to Asacol. Balsalazide would be the least expensive since it's a generic.
Posted 11/24/2015 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
They have generic 1200 or 800 MG mesalamine extended release tablets in Canada if I remember correctly. It's just the US where we let pharmaceutical companies to block generics for long periods of time...

The worst part about ordering from Canada for me if the wait to get the meds. It can take a couple weeks. I would usually order a few months worth so I was able to manage the time pretty easily.
Posted 11/24/2015 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to be trying Lialda. They said it is the same and has the same side effects. I am hoping for no side effects. Thanks again everyone.
Posted 11/24/2015 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
FYI, I've been using https://www.canadadrugsonline.com. It's about 10 business days to get the prescriptions but they'll say longer. I've been getting 400 generic pills for ~$325 but I don't see that option right now. Anyways, comparing that to $850 for 90 pills seems like an easy choice. I always get the warm fuzzies buying my pills directly from another country...
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