I just tried to fill an Rx for Coartem, and the pharmacies are telling me that it is no longer being manufactured. If, and if I can find it, they want an arm and leg for it.
Is there some reason anyone knows of why they would just stop making it?
I am concerned that my current LLMD is out of touch with the new meds out there!
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Actually the med did not even become available in the U.S. until 2 or 3 years ago. It has been used for years to fight malaria in foreign countries.
Don't know but it is possible that it is being stockpiled for malaria in foreign countries and not currently being imported. I know several years ago when they started using artemisinin more heavily for malaria there was a shortage of that herb for at least 6 months.
I would try all drugstores in your area -- some may have a different supplier and could possibly get the med. We used to drive an extra 30 miles to get some of Steve's meds from Rite Aid in North Carolina since they had a different supplier than the local CVS or Walgreens or Kroger or K-Mart or Walmart.
Or there may be a mail order source of the med.
Bea Seibert
Posted by gmb (Member # 23562) on :
Yes, try a different pharmacy. CVS told me last month that Alinia was no longer being manufactured.
I then took my script to Rite Aid and had it filled. I returned to CVS to let them know it was still available and they just made more calls and finally found it available.
It's not the local pharmacist fault. It's insurance approvals and industry consolidation when no one wants to go the extra yard anymore.
It will only get worse with ObamaCare.
gmb
Posted by terv (Member # 29410) on :
I just filled a prescription early May for 24 pills. I had a $55 copay.
Posted by Crawgir1 (Member # 40229) on :
I did find 48 pills on a Canadian Pharmacy for $130.00, which is a deal. The only place locally that can get it wants $260.00.
This one is UniversalDrugstore.com, which I think I got the link for from someone here on lymenet.org.
I do wonder about this link, however. I hear stories of getting fake drugs etc. But I do hear that Canadian pharmacies have generics from India and European countries, which have higher purity than US generics.
Posted by sk8ter (Member # 8671) on :
they lie about it not being made if THEIR suppliers dont buy it..call the manufacturer directly and see if it still is being made and who has it.
Posted by Edessajarrue (Member # 35310) on :
Just got a fill for Coartem at my local Walgreen's in MN. Manufacturer: Novartis
More than likely what sk8ter says - 'THEIR suppliers dont buy it'.