Should I be worrying about potential restrictions to medication access?

Ellamary98

This thought pecked at me a little last night (because it had only just occurred to me) and then they spoke about it on the news this evening...Will restricted imports impact my access to life-saving drugs? Should I be stockpiling? That sounds so wrong, but I'm a little nervous as I have mets and this drug regime has been so perfect for me...Where can we get advice about this? I cannot even find where my drugs are manufactured. I realise I am catastrophising, which is very unlike me..

Tinks

Your hospital/specialist onco pharmacist if you get your drugs through a hospital or onco clinic route or your GP or local pharmacist can look up the meds on line or through pharmacy databases. They should be able to tell you of any shortages and also when stocks are expected. Hope it’s all OK xx

Ellamary98

Thanks, @Tinks. I am going to speak with my friendly pharmacist tomorrow and see what he thinks.With any luck, they are produced in Australia.

Tinks

Great! A family member could not get tamoxifen recently here in Adelaide, and our local pharmacist was fantastic, found a source and within three days she had a full supply. xx

Ellamary98

In the end, my oncologist recommended that I order 2 month's supply of my medication, to be held by the pharmacy. The pharmacist agreed to this, as protection against anticipated long delays at port of imported goods. I feel a bit easier, knowing that I won't be left high and dry. I see now that there are general recommendations that people with prescribed medications fill an extra script.

Afraser

Just note that some chemists will not fill more than one ‘dose’ (eg a month) of medication unless you have a letter authorising them to do so from your doctor. My local chemist had always been helpful (for holidays, for example) but a different chemist was quite adamant. Legally he is correct. Many chemists will do it if they know the customer well but technically they are not supposed to. No problem if the chemist will hold a supply for you but if for any reason people want to hold a few extra weeks supply at home, get your GP to authorise it in writing. 

Ellamary98

You are correct, @Afraser . I would not have been able to hold the supply at home- but it is worth knowing that it is held in readiness for me.

Afraser

I checked where my drugs are manufactured - Germany, India, Switzerland and Australia. Not planning to try stockpiling yet! And I’ll leave the face masks for those who really need them! 

Sister

I decided to fill my Letrozole prescription a bit earlier than usual so went yesterday and asked about restrictions.  The pharmacist said that there weren't any yet as far as she knew but asked if I would like an extra month supply to be sure.  I've had pharmacists put on the remaining scripts "not to be supplied before..." and ridiculous as it is, I know it is the law.  However, I think the pharmacist yesterday was quite reasonable - she's not going overboard which could leave someone else without medication but she's given me some peace of mind with time to source more if there is an issue in the future.

Joinmelb

@Ellamary98, just out of interest was it kisqali they ordered in for you??  I know my chemist doesn't like ordering it ahead due to the massive cost!
I was a little concerned about that too, especially seeing pharmacist said today some people are stockpiling ventolin that aren't even asthmatic!!  I had to get a few extra of those in my usual dispensing as my son and I are both asthmatics!!

arpie

There was a shortage of Tamoxifen (I think it was) in the lead up to Xmas ...... 

I've had that on my prescription too, @Sister - not to be supplied before xxxx - but for $1 extra, I was allowed to get an extra one!  I always like to have one up my sleeve ...... with both my scripts & Keith's x 3 as well!

Looks like you'll need a script for Toilet Paper soon!!  There wasn't any at Aldi today here!!

kmakm

I think I'll go have a chat with my pharmacist tomorrow.

arnlybub

I haven't been able to get my normal Sandoz brand Tamoxifen for a couple of weeks  I had to go with Genex brand which for some reason has started all the joint pain side effects again but the hot flashes have decreased (touch wood).  The pharmacy had a lot of orange 'out of stock' tags on the items behind the counter.

Luckily I get all my other meds from an online pharmacy and I can get the entire 6 month prescription in one order.

I've got toilet paper on my shopping list this week - not for stockpiling - I'll probably have to buy it from the scalpers 

Ellamary98

@Joinmelb Yes, Kisqali. It's not so much where it is manufactured, but just that goods are expected to be held up longer on the wharf and so there may be delays. I know that it is expensive for the pharmacist to order extra, but they know me and are comfortable ordering in a bit extra. I wasn't concerned about the Letrozole, as there are a few brands and other options.

JulieVT11

There is still a shortage of Tamoxifen, my local chemist told me yesterday that she won’t have stock for at least another 4 weeks but I did manage to get the gerneric brand at a small suburban chemist.

Keeping_positive1

Well I may be in big trouble, because I have been accidentally taking my Arimidex tablet in the morning instead of another tablet I take first thing in the morning.  Then to make matters worse I take an Arimidex in the evening also, talk about brain fog.