So apparently the FDA is cracking down on compounding pharmacies and sent them letters to stop dispensing domperidone. Doctors are also being targeting and cannot write scripts for compounding or for overseas dispensing. They could lose their license. I feel totally screwed. So if any of you use it and there is anyway to get one more refill do it NOW.
I just ordered mine from an overseas company that has a good brand from New Zealand. I already got email that it shipped registered mail (has to be signed for), so we will see what happens when it gets here next week. I have never had any problems before with customs...and I have done this for 14 years now. I did have to stop using Canada as they wouldn't ship to US anymore...no worries, I get a better product for cheaper now.
I will be interested in watching this thread to see if others have problems now (and what types) and whether I have problems getting it through customs. I'll keep you all posted.
I'd love to hear from others and if they are having problems...and what types of problems.
I have to also ask, where you heard about these crack downs? Was there an article discussing it? if so, can you post it please, as I would be interested reading it.
I really don't think I can eat without Domperidone. My son also takes it. Will we be forced into taking Reglan? Rnathans, I seem to remember your husband is a physician, is this correct? My appointment with GI doctor is not until October. This is when I will get my new script. Oh boy, this is really bad news.
Anna
Anita,
Am I correct in assuming you still need a script to order from New Zealand? I order from Canada but require script.
Anna
This is all I could find on my search:
Kansas Compounder Perry Drug Dinged for GMP Violations, Unapproved Ingredients
nvestigators from the FDA?s Kansas City office further called the company out for making drugs containing domperidone, which is not part of an FDA-approved human drug and not on a list of bulk drug substances that may be used for compounding.
onequalitystandard.blogspot.com/2015/03/kansas-compounder-perry-drug-dinged-for.html
Domperidone Not FDA Approved, Should Not be Marketed in the US, FDA Stresses
July of 2013
lawofcompoundingmedications.com/2013/07/domperidone-not-fda-approved-should-not.html
nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81:on-the-fda-and-domperidone&catid=5:information&Itemid=17
Anna,
It says on the site I order from that Rx is required, but they never follow up and ask for it, so I've never sent one. I used to send RX to the Canadian company but they stopped shipping to US.
I don't know what you pay, but I just ordered 1200 tablets (which lasts me a LONG time) for $226 (including shipping). This is a bargain compared to what i was paying.
I haven't received my order yet so it will be interesting to see if it comes ok.
I always fax or scan my script to Canadian pharmacy. If something happens I will be getting information from you I pay closer to $300.00 for 1200.
As always, thanks Anita.
Anna
I found out because my compounding pharmacy told me on Monday they could no longer do it because the FDA had sent letters to all compounding pharmacies to stop. I just happened to have a GI appointment the next day and before I could tell my MD he told me.
Anita, I am familiar with where you get your domperidone from and will probably go back to doing that. Fortunately because I got them from there many years ago they will grandfather me in without a prescription but new customers require a prescription. I am a little nervous about the fact that credit card payments are now processed through China though.
This is a major disaster for many.it is so unfair for those who need this drug.
And yes, Anita my husband is a doctor but that is not how I found out and a subsequent on line search came up with exactly what you did- nothing related to this. I am in Pennsylvania but doubt the FDA is only targeting one state.
As long as customs does not happen to pick out your package randomly you will be fine. Even years ago there was always this chance as technically it is illegal to import into the US.
So here is correspondence I received from InHouse Pharmacy:
Thank you for your email.
I can confirm as a returning customer, you are NOT required to provide a new prescription.
In the last week of April 2014 significant changes took place for us an Online Pharmacy, then in DEC 2014 we had to change our website domain name.
NEW US CUSTOMERS are now required to supply a valid prescription when ordering from us. However, for our customers like yourself with a previous purchase history, we will continue to accept and process your order as we have done in the past, ie; WITHOUT a prescription.
This policy change for new customers, has resulted from the major credit card schemes such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express, who are targeting Online Pharmacies due to lobbying from BigPharma and other Drug Companies in the US. They strongly oppose our line of business. To them, supplying meds without a valid prescription is unacceptable.
They will not tolerate it, and by doing so, perceive their names are being brought into 'disrepute'. Therefore, if we do not request and receive a valid prescription, could result in our business being denied access to their credit card payment facilities.
Hmm, very interesting. Thanks for posting this.
Like I said, I just placed my order early last week and they sent an email that it shipped (without an RX required). I hope I get it...or an email that I need to send an RX (which I can get no problem).
Anita, you will be fine since you have ordered from them before. And they will grandfather me in even though it has been at least 5 years since I ordered from them. But it breaks my heart that folks who used compounding and never ordered from InHouse before may go without. I lost 6 pounds in a few weeks off the stuff.
Rnathans,
Am I understanding correctly your physician would not give you an Rx? My GI just wrote a script for me last week to hold me over till my appointment. I sure hope at my appointment he will write script for a year. Did your GI offer you Reglan? How did he plan to treat your gastroparesis? It just seems cruel to leave you without treatment.
Anna
You might want to go ahead and make a small order from InHouse Pharmacy, Anna...that way you establish yourself as a customer with the Rx you do have. This way if your doctor can't write you another Rx, maybe this place will treat you like a return customer and then you won't need another Rx. Just a thought.
Anna, my doctor will no longer give me a script. The FDA is on a witch hunt and now they seem to be afraid they could lose their license. Perhaps you got your script just in time. the other question is will the pharmacy still fill it.I still had refills on my script but the pharmacy says they cannot dispense it anymore.
I cannot tolerate reglan. I do not blame my doctor. It is not his fault that there are so few options. He told me to go back to the GP diet and try to get it from InHouse if I can.
You know, with all this talk, I'm seriously thinking of ordering ANOTHER 1200 tablets...just to keep on hand. I don't know what the shelf life is, but they do come in blister packs, so that should help extend their shelf life, I would think.
I (like many) cannot take Reglan. I get the very black box warning of movement disorders from it (that is plastered all over the TV for lawyers to sue on your behalf). And these movement disorders can end up being permanent.
The only thing I know for SURE, is that I CANNOT be comfortable or eat well without my Domperidone. So I will go to any lengths to get it.
I will go to Canada if needed and be seen by one of their doctors to get a script. I'm trying not to panic yet but I cannot eat without Domperidone. I struggle with gastroparesis enough while taking it.
Anita, on Monday I will get in touch with your pharmacy. Good idea.
Anna
Anna,
Were you able to reach InHouse pharmacy? Are they going to be able to fill your prescription? I also think you wouldn't need an Rx after the initial order (with the Rx you have). Hopefully, they confirmed this.
This whole thing is making me nervous, so I ordered another 1800...so I now will have a year supply. My first order arrived yesterday. I placed another order because last time (4-5 months ago), then had run out of Domperidone and I had to wait for more to become available. It wasn't a long time and they filled it as soon as it come in (which was exactly when they said it would be), but I am concerned that they may run out again if there is a higher demand (with other companies not being able to fill orders due to Rx restrictions). Just like you, I cannot go without my Domperidone.
rnathans
Are you going back to InHouse pharmacy?
Anita,
Hopefully calling today. We stopped at my daughter's house on way to Ohio and I haven't had a minute. I will keep you posted.
Anna
I ordered mine on Monday and it shipped Tuesday. How long does it usually take to arrive?
I got mine this last time in exactly 10 days from shipping date...and they shipped it the day after I ordered it. You should have yours by the middle-end of next week.
Ladies,
I placed my order with the pharmacy just now. I emailed my script to them and it should not be a problem to order in future. This is what I was told. Thanks for all the information!
Anna
Thanks Anita.
Great news Anna.
I am happy to report that my domperidone arrived today. They would have delivered it Tuesdy but no one was home then or yesterday to sign for it. Now let us hope it works. My husband reminded me that years ago it did not work in the tablet form, yet I got good results this year for the months I could get it compounded. Hoping my case is just not as severe this time.
Great news! Hopefully it will work well for you.
I just received my second order yesterday.
Anna, did you get yours yet?
Not yet Anita. I am getting mine standard shipping because we are on vacation. We return home in ten days. I will let you know. I am assuming it will work as well as the Canadian.
Anna