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Use of medications bought from other countries
I have seen a number of suggestions for people to obtain their OFEV medications from India but heard little from people saying that they actually use the medications from India. I am a bit concerned about buying drugs from outside the country but when I consider the cost in the USA I am all ears. Was also told Canadian pharmacies were often used but I haven’t been able to locate one that sells OFEV. Are there people that can shed some light on the subject?
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39 Replies
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Hello Randy,
When I was first diagnosed I went to Yale New Haven hospital. There was no way I could afford $10,000 a month. My doctor was from India. She told me her mom was now living in the US and has IPF and that OFEV was made in india by Boehringer Inglehiem. She was having it sent to her. So my GUESS is it’s the same med.
A personal friend of mine is a scientist at Boehringer, their HQ is located a few miles from where I live. She says it should be the same drug but would have a pharmacist check before ingesting.
Turns out my insurance covered the full cost.
Good luck.
Thom
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@randy-miller
Randy,
My husband is on Esbriet since 2014. Our insurance company would not cover it so we got the generic version of Esbriet, which by the way many people with PF were on this generic brand before the FDA approved Esbriet, from India. We were getting the generic brand for 4 years before our new insurance company covered Esbriet. We at times had issues with customs in which they held the medication at one point. The customs agent did release it to us. The drug company who makes the generic version is Cipla. We had absolutely no problems with the medication.
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A cautionary tale can be found in a book by Katherine Eban entitled “Bottle of Lies” about generic drugs manufactured in other countries, especially India.
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Absolutely agree, @gregldixon. I’ve heard a few interviews with Katherine Eban outlining how the book arose and the research she put into it – it was like reading a story about organized crime. Absolutely astounding levels of corruption, and not just in India. I haven’t read the book myself yet, but I imagine it reads like a gripping “whodunit”, yet it’s all true.
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When I had Hep C and prior to the treatment now available, the treatment was interferon with Ribavirin which was available in other countries prior to it becoming available in USA. I flew to Mexico city where I took a cab to the Manufacturer’s lab which had the entrance guarded by guards with machine guns and I was escorted by t the labs into the sales office and purchased the salesman’s samples for $2000 and given a prescription to clear customs. When the custom agent at Miami asked what I had in the bag I told him it was full of prescription drug and I had a prescription and he waved me thru without looking at the drugs. The drugs were the real thing and all done with 20 hours. I had to wait untill about 5 years ago when the came out with the current drug that cures Hep c to get cured.
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I think I need to try and get my hands on this book @jill-tanner ! Sounds like a good one. I’ve never bought any drugs overseas, with prescription or not, as the Canadian healthcare plan covers most of Ofev here but I have heard of a few people doing it. I was always uncertain about it, but don’t judge anyone who may need/want to go that route to get their medication. A friend of mine who is very educated, financially secure and informed did this, so I was curious about others’ doing it. I’m going to try and order the book. Thanks to you and @gregldixon for sharing.
Charlene.
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@randy-miller
Hi Randy,
Really good topic to bring up for discussion. I personally have never done this, but do know people who have, so I can’t really share a lot on the topic. I hope others chime in for discussion who may be able to share personal experiences for you. I am in Canada and have no trouble obtaining Ofev, but I don’t believe the pharmacy would dispense it to a US citizen without a drug card and/or valid insurance. The only drug I know of that can be purchased across US-Canadian borders is insulin, there was a news story about that not too long ago. Goodluck, and I hope folks can share some experiences with you.
Charlene.
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Hi John…thank you for the post. I had seriously considered flying to Mexico but with all of the killings there I wasn’t too moved to do so. Still it does say that drugs can be the same
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Hi Charlene,
Just getting used to the forum and it’s protocols. In addition to being a very poor typist I am struggling with the site…guess I will learn. Please let me know where I need to change if/when I mess up. I really appreciate the forum after being shocked by my diagnosis. Real people with real stories and advice. Best Regards….Randy
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Hi Jillt…sounds very much like what I am finding here in the USA. My wife researched the pharmacy we were told to use, and wanted me to pay $2756 for a one month supply, was owned by doctors according to their website. Beginning to wonder if this is an endeavor that can be solved.
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Thank you Thom..Still looking for help. Your post gives me hope. Looked up Indiamart on internet and instantly had 21 responses. I picked one and got some additional info. Called the local pharmacy that the doctor gave me to check the prices associated with my prescription…without insurance one month would cost me $131,100 and with insurance it would cost $2756. Way out of my budget. One month from India would cost me $1000 plus shipping.
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Hi Lilly…thank you for your post.It gives me hope for resolution
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Looks as if I need to do some reading…thanks for the info
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Hi @randy-miller
Welcome aboard! Sorry you’ve needed to join the forums as a result of your own IPF diagnosis, but please be assured everyone is so wonderful on this site, and will help you the best way we can. The platform can be tough to get used to at first, but you’re doing a great job! I noticed your posts were held for moderation/approval by Mark or I (as co-moderators/key holders) but for no specific reason and not because of something you did. Sometimes this just happens when the site suspects spammers, so I had our tech genius add your username to the approved list and you shouldn’t run into any posts being held anymore. 🙂 Thanks again for writing to us and I look forward to getting to know you a bit more.
Stay well,
Charlene. -
Hey there Randy.
Dont lose hope!! There are other sources that help with medicines. Look here on line and you will find several. Not for nothing but I’d look up Boehringer Inglehiem Danbury. CT and email them you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. About 2 months ago they called me, asked a few questions about ofev. They also asked me what I’m paying for it. I told them my insurance covered it. It’s pretty late now but tomorrow I’ll see if I can find an email address for them. I’ll also phone a friend of mine. Shes a scientist at the place. Perhaps she can direct you to someone that can help.
Funny thing. About 30 years ago the president of Boehringer bought a beautiful home in this area. He hired me to do a lot of fancy ornamental iron work. He was not a very friendly guy! Maybe he was having a bad day, I dont know. It was a very cold December day. That i do remember. And i WAS having a bad day. We exchanged several words which i wont repeat here. After that was done I told him, ,”Dr if I ever get sick, I’d sooner die than swallow anything from your company”. I got paid. Stormed out of his house. Ha ha to me! Little did i know they would be the ones keeping me around. It’s all good i suppose.
Dont lose hope. I’m sure it will work out.
I doubt anyone here, expected to be HERE on this website. I’d say it was a surprise to all of us.
Hang in there. I will try to find a name for you. If nothing else, have your wife look around on line for an organization that perhaps can provide assistance.
Happy Easter.
Thom
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Hi Charlene…This forum is a breathe of fresh air…a whole new world for me. People have been so open and down to earth Randy
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Hi Thom…really nice to hear from you. I read my post to you and noticed I gave an incorrect price for a one month supply from the pharmacy that quoted me pricing. I said the price without insurance was $131,100 while the actual figure was 13,100 for a one month supply without insurance. That is still a far cry from the $ 1030 price to get it from India. REALLY appreciate you post…I will hang in there buy costs are terrible. Thanks for your thoughts…Happy Easter
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So glad to hear this @randy-miller ! While I wish this platform didn’t have to exist at all – meaning, none of us were dealt with IPF/PF – I am glad we have this special online community. The people here are so kind, welcoming and supportive so we’ll always help the best we can. Glad you’ve found us as a resource….do feel free to reach out anytime. Happy Easter to you and your family my new friend!
Charlene. -
Hi Charlene
Both Ofev and Esbriet have programs to help their patients. I believe they will offer financial aid as well. It might be worth it to check with them. Ofev’s program is called Open Doors. The number is 866-673-6366. Esbriet is called Esbriet Inspirstion 844-693-7274
Walgreens Alliance Specialty Drugs has helped me by providing information and phone numbers and websites which help with the cost of the medicines for free. Their number is 877-627-6337.
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Sorry but there is not a generic equivalent to Esbriet (nor to Nintedanib). They are both fully patented and will be so for a few years. Either of these medicines sourced from a different manufacturer is going to be illegal definitely and not identical, likely. There is the possibility that a company’s pricing policy may mean that it is a bit cheaper in one country than another so maybe some saving could be made, but caveat emptor.
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Dear Mick,
There is most definitely a generic for Esbriet and it is called Pirfenex and made by Cipla in India. If you live in India, you will pay roughly one American cent per tablet. If you live in South Africa as I do, you can import the tablets, but now you pay dollar prices. A year´s supply costs me about $900. I have been using them for the last 3 years. I was diagnosed in January 2017 and told I have three to five years to live. I started using Pirfenex three months later and my condition has not deteriorated. I have the typical symptoms: my oxygen drops to about 88% if I walk fast, but the white spots on my lungs remain the same on the annual CT scan.
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Piet,
Thank you very much for that valuable info on Cipla generic. I am originally from India and familiar with the company Cipla, a reputed company. how do you order the drug from US? Is it possible now that Esbriet is FDA approved?
thanks
kris
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For a few years Spiriva and Advair cost me so much I looked for a solution. I found a Canadian Pharmacy (directdiscount drugs)? and it cost me several hundred dollars less, without insurance, than with Medicare. They came in name brands or generic. They were from India. I never once had a problem with them. I had to order 4 weeks in advance. My doctor faxed them.
Recently, I was prescribed a different drug to replace both of them. It is Trelegy, once a day. It seems to work better. However, I also had to start taking an antibiotic 3 times a week and Prednisone everyday. I now feel better than I have in years. I’m walking 2 plus miles a day. I’ve never been willing to try. I’ve been on oxygen four 18 years but I’m stronger than I’ve been. I will have a biopsy in 3 months. By the way, Trelegy is a lot cheaper.
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Piet you are right! There is indeed a generic version of Esbriet; Pirfenex was on this for 4 years due to the fact that his insurance refused to cover Esbriet. People were on Pirfenex here in the states before Esbriet was approved by the FDA in October 0f 2014. We had it shipped to us from India. I’m not saying that there are not steps to take to get the medication but it can be done.
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@luker
Hi Luke,
Thank you so much for this information – I had heard about these programs prior but it is always good to be reminded, plus I don’t think I had this contact information before. I will be sure to reference your post when others ask, and I have no doubt your note will help them as well. Thanks again for taking the time to share this with us.
Charlene.
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