Heads up for those in the US on domperidone

[rnathans]

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.

[anita]

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.

[anita]

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.

[ohiolady]

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

[ohiolady]

Anita,

Am I correct in assuming you still need a script to order from New Zealand?  I order from Canada but require script.

Anna

[lighthouse33]

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

[anita]

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.

[ohiolady]

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

[rnathans]

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.

[rnathans]

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.

[anita]

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).

[rnathans]

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.

[ohiolady]

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

[anita]

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.

[rnathans]

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.