Met and no insurance?!?!

Kalmert · 06-22-2006, 02:33 AM

Hi, Anyone purchase met off the internet from Canada? I am in need of filling my scripts, but do not have insurance anymore.

I am a bit scared of purchasing them off the net, but need to stay on them. Any suggestions as to what sites to go to?

itsmesue · 06-22-2006, 04:52 PM

Is Met cheaper on the net? I've found that it's not an expensive drug so maybe you can call your pharmamcy and compare prices?

Kalmert · 06-22-2006, 05:52 PM

I did that already. It was close to $100 from Walgreens. They gave me a printout.

I found much cheaper prices on the net.

sazilily · 06-22-2006, 06:12 PM

I'm in the same position. Please keep posting and let me know. I am also scared to order off line. Is there any way to check the sites against each other? Find out which are legit.

I hate insurance. It sucks that medicine is so expensive.

sazilily · 06-22-2006, 06:41 PM

FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P04-65
July 13, 2004
Media Inquiries: 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Test Results of Prescription Drugs from Bogus Canadian Website Show All Products Are Fake and Substandard
A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) analysis of three commonly prescribed drugs purchased from a Web site advertised as Canadian showed that so-called "Canadian Generics" bought from the Web site were fake, substandard and potentially dangerous. One was a controlled substance. In light of these findings, FDA reiterates its strong concerns about purchasing prescription drugs online from unknown sources.

FDA investigators recently purchased three commonly prescribed drugs from a Web site advertising "Canadian Generics," which had been sending "spam" emails promoting its products. The products purchased were so-called "generic" versions of Viagra, Lipitor, and Ambien. None of the three products has a U.S.-approved generic version, and so all three drugs were unapproved.

"The test results of our analyses offer proof positive that buying prescription drugs online from unknown foreign sources can be a risky business. As was the case here, even where a website looks legitimate, FDA has clear evidence that the Web site is dispensing misbranded drugs that are not the same quality as those approved by the FDA for sale in the United States. Consumers who believe they are getting equivalent products from reputable sources are being misled and putting their health at risk," said FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Lester M. Crawford. "This firm shipped drugs that were the wrong strength, including some that were substantially super-potent and that pose real health risks as a result, drugs that didn't dissolve properly, drugs that contained contaminants, and drugs that should not have been given because of potentially dangerous drug interactions."

Ambien, a controlled substance (schedule IV), is approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia in the U.S. The product FDA obtained online contained too much active ingredient, including one tablet that was nearly double the labeled potency. Taking "superpotent" Ambien puts patients at risk for central nervous system depression, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.

The so-called "generic" Lipitor FDA purchased was subpotent and failed standard dissolution tests, providing on average only 57 percent of the active ingredient claimed on the label. It also failed FDA's purity testing. Clinically, subpotent product could present a long-term risk for the various complications of high cholesterol, such as heart disease. In addition, the so-called "generic" Lipitor product was furnished to FDA's online purchaser, even though the purchaser said that he was taking the antibiotic Erythromycin. Lipitor's label warns against taking Lipitor and Erythromycin at the same time.

Viagra is sold in the U.S. to treat impotence. The so-called "generic" version of this product also contained too little of the active ingredient, failed the dissolution test, and had an unacceptable level of impurities. Although subpotent "generic" Viagra may not place patients at additional risk, the purchaser informed the firm in its on-line questionnaire that he was taking Erythromycin. Use of Viagra in patients taking Erythromycin is contraindicated.

FDA continues to advise patients and consumers that they must use great care when purchasing prescription drugs online. Our evidence indicates that although a Web site may appear to be hosted by a reputable source and may look similar to other retail pharmacy Web sites, many of these sites in fact operate from outside the United States and are providing unapproved drugs from unreliable sources. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has established a program called VIPPS designed to certify Web sites that meet industry standards. The Agency believes that consumers should look for participation in this type of certification program as one method to help minimize the risks of getting bad quality drugs from disreputable sources.

The FDA's test results are summarized in a chart that can be accessed at: http://www.fda.gov/importeddrugs/chart071304.html. Additional information about buying drugs online is available at FDA's website, http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/default.htm.

sazilily · 06-22-2006, 06:55 PM

FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P05-102
December 16, 2005
Media Inquiries:
Catherine McDermott, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

FDA Operation Reveals Many Drugs Promoted as "Canadian" Products Really Originate From Other Countries
An FDA operation found that nearly half of the imported drugs FDA intercepted from four selected countries were shipped to fill orders that consumers believed they were placing with "Canadian" pharmacies. Of the drugs being promoted as "Canadian," based on accompanying documentation, 85 percent actually came from 27 countries around the globe. A number of these products also were found to be counterfeit.

“This operation suggests that drugs ordered from so-called ‘Canadian’ Internet sites are not drugs of known safety and efficacy,” said Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Acting FDA Commissioner. “These results make clear there are Internet sites that claim to be "Canadian" that, in fact, are peddling drugs of dubious origin, safety, and efficacy. We believe that these ‘bait and switch’ tactics-offering patients one thing and then giving them something else- are misleading to patients and potentially harmful to the public health.”

FDA conducted its operation, named “Operation Bait and Switch,” over a few days in August 2005 at JFK Airport in New York City, Miami International Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport. FDA examined all mail parcels suspected of containing pharmaceuticals sent from four countries-India, Israel, Costa Rica, and Vanuatu-that FDA had previously noticed were sources of drugs apparently ordered from pharmacies alleged to be Canadian in origin. Out of nearly 4,000 parcels examined, almost 1,700 or about 43 percent had been ordered from “Canadian” Internet pharmacies and were represented as being of Canadian origin.

However, only 15 percent of the “Canadian” drugs in the parcels examined actually originated in Canada. The remaining 85 percent were manufactured in 27 different countries. In addition to having been falsely promoted as being of Canadian origin, many of these drugs were not adequately labeled in English to help assure safe and effective use.

Thirty two of the pharmaceuticals sampled, representing three distinct drug products, have been determined to be counterfeit. FDA is working closely with the Canadian drug regulatory and law enforcement authorities on this matter. FDA will take appropriate action to keep these counterfeit products out of the U.S. drug supply and pursue actions against those responsible for attempting to defraud the American public.

jdbjeb7 · 06-22-2006, 07:04 PM

I don't know about prices where you live but here in MS @ Fred's pharmacy. You can get your met filled for like $12 for 90 pills.

sazilily · 06-22-2006, 07:21 PM

I've done some research. DO NOT ORDER FROM CANADA- as you can tell from the articles it is not a good idea.

But you can get help.

Bristol Meyers (the makers of glucophage) have a patient assistance programs

http://www.bmspaf.org/pdf/IndivApplication.pdf

That is a link to an application for help.

They will send you medication free of charge if you qualify.

The phone number is 800 631 5244or check the site www.bmspaf.org

Hope this helps. maybe we should make a sticky with the info?

glassrobin · 06-22-2006, 07:52 PM

Great News! Met is cheaper from Costco without insurance than Walgreens with it. You can order it online and have it mailed to your house if you dont have a Costco nearby.
http://www.costco.com/Pharmacy/frame...icle=METFORMIN

METFORMIN HCL 1,000 MG TABLET(MPC) =100 for $18.99

This is cheaper than with insurance!

I hope this is an answer for yall,

Kalmert · 06-22-2006, 08:24 PM

That helps tons!!! I am now going to do that! Oh thank you so much!!!

TahoeTracey · 06-22-2006, 10:23 PM

I've ordered things from www.medsmex.com and it's all been ok. Shipping has been a little long, but the prices are good. I first heard about this website on the TTC forum where some women have bought their clomid.

sazilily · 06-22-2006, 10:37 PM

I'm going to Costco! This may seem weird but prescription expired... what should I do? can I buy it without a prescription?

itsmesue · 06-23-2006, 01:18 AM

You won't be able to get the met without a valid prescription. However, the pharmacist can call your doctor to get an updated script.

I just had mine re-filled, 120 500mg. for 15.00, of course that was my co-pay, so I don't think I'd get it any cheaper from Costco. But, that's a great deal, I've heard that Costco has much cheaper prices.

tameejean · 06-23-2006, 04:56 AM

Yep! I get mine cheaper from Costco too. It was only $12 for 90 500mg, I think.

Kalmert · 06-23-2006, 05:59 AM

I went to the costco website and I was able to "transfer" my scripts from walgreens to them! All over the web!! It was great. They'll send an email letting me know it's done and then I can place my order. How nice is that?!?! Thank you!!!