Posted by on June 09, 19100 at 06:42:18:
In Reply to: Was fact sheet written by drug companies??? posted by Lisa on June 08, 19100 at 22:06:10:
: I read the fact sheet on buying infertility meds and it sounds like a plug from the American drug companies. Due to my lack of insurance coverage, if not for my "creative" drug buying, I could not have afforded the drugs.
: I have bought drugs from numerous sources, both pharmacies on the AIA list, as well as other women and overseas. I had to resort to the two latter sources, as it afforded me the chance to continue.
: I have been fortunate to have met a few great women who were kind enough to share their unused drugs with me, either at no cost or their low insurance co-payment. I also took a trip to Mexico to buy Pergonal at a small fraction of the cost here and the drugs worked just fine. I got the ok from my RE, who is with one of the "big" three centers. Sure enough, I did great on these foreign drugs, actually better than I did from the drugs I purchased at full price in New York,(the cycle worked).
: I think it is important to use common sense when buying drugs from unauthorized sources. If it is from another woman, be sure to find out where she got the meds, how she stored them, etc. If using a foreign pharmacy, go with one of the big name companies. I went directly to a Wal-Mart pharmacy in Mexico and hand carried the drugs home.
: I'm not advocating illegal drug sales, but if this is a way to afford persuing our dreams of pregnancy, then I am all for doing what we need to do. Perhaps if more women did this, the drug companies would get the message and lower their prices!
Lisa,
The fact sheet was written by The American Infertility Association. Our name is on it. We are truly concerned over patients receiving their medications through other patients or through unlicensed vendors. While you may have a happy ending to your story, many do not. I have heard countless horror stories. We teach children not to take candy from strangers, why would we inject ourselves with left over medications,etc..from people that we don't know? I truly sympathize with the money factor. I have been there. But if you are going to go through all of the emotional angst and the rest of the financial picture of out of pocket treatment, why gamble it all away on questionable product? We are treating a disease when we are treating infertility. No one should take medication into their body from unapproved sources. Whether it is for a strep throat, cancer therapy or fertility treatment. Everyone has to follow their own heart and will have their own experience, but it is our job at AIA, to educate the public so that they can make informed decisions.
Pam