The reference page for prohibited drug imports is Department of Health and Ageing - List of drug substances requiring import and or export authorisations and while I cant see Topamax, Campral, or Baclofen listed they may be caught up by other named ingredients.
However the use of drugs for a purpose "Preparations that purport to be a remedy for drunkenness, alcoholic habit or drug habit" would properly catch the use of drugs for off label use.
I'll attempt to update this thread with further information I unearth in the attempt to legally source this drug.
I have so far imported two supplies of 120 tabs of Naltrexone from River Pharmacy into Australia. I thought I had no problems in doing this but today I got a very large and threatening letter from Australian Customs and Border Control.
So before I pack my toothbrush and head off to the big house I think I'll share a little bit of information that I've managed to work out.
I got a real curious email from River that was caught up in a spam folder saying that as they thought something may have gone wrong with one of my orders they resent the order, gratis, free of charge. This didn't make any sense till today as I had paid for two orders and I had eventually (about a month delay) got two supplies - one ordered in Nov and received mid Jan and the other ordered early Feb and received lat Feb. So I think I now know the "missing" delivery has gone to Australian Customs and they have now decided to play their games with me.
(I have to say the customer service from River is amazing although I would say the second import that they sent for free without my knowledge could have caused me a hell of a lot of extra problems if it had been caught by Customs.)
The letter I got today detailed the seizure of the drugs - 120 Naltrexone tablets is prohibited unless permission to import has been granted - They have seized the goods as forfeited goods. They then give me the option of doing nothing or claiming the goods back. They threaten me that If I claim the goods back I will be taken to court and that in the likely event that they win and I lose they will claim considerable costs against me. If I don't claim the goods back they will destroy them and retain the undefended allegation that I have imported the drugs illegally should I ever do so again. If anyone has ever seen the border protection reality shows that one of our TV networks pretends is entertainment you will be aware of the thinly veiled racism that these customs people practice and the 10 page document that I received is set up to bully me into walking away (or doing things through associates).
But did they really pick the wrong person to try an bully. The only way to beat a bully is to stand up to them so while I have many easier ways to get my much needed and quite successful supply I'm going to take this on and hopefully others from Australia can benefit from my efforts. I'm a lawyer by trade so I'm happy to run this as a case but I suspect that Customs regs will be accurate if I cant source a permit and I'd lose - but then I might run the case and put my case in the court of Public opinion via a tabloid TV show and use this to show how screwed up our alcohol rehab industry and medicos are - Have to be willing to be named and shamed to do this but I have pretty thick skin.
Now Naltrexone is a prohibited import into Australia (Prohibited Imports and Exports (Drugs and Precursor Chemicals) - it is listed as requiring an import permit. There's a whole lot of fancy drugs and sterioids that athletes and other people can import - (I thought atheletes didnt use drugs - but thats another story) The personal use exemption does not apply to Nal - you have to apply for a permit.
The import permit must be applied via the Australian TGA I have requested to eds@tga.gov.au the following tonight quoting the prohibited classification:
" I wish to obtain an import permit from the TGA to import a three month supply for personal use of a drug under the classification of a "Preparations that purport to be a remedy for drunkenness, alcoholic habit or drug habit" The drug, Naltraxone,under the brand name Revia or generic form Nodict is one that I have previously been prescribed in Australia by a specialist doctor to assist in the reduction or elimination of an alcoholic habit. Could you please advise me of the procedure and appropriate forms or other paperwork necessary to pursue this application."
Now I'm not sure how this will be received but I thought I'd document my struggles with the bureaucrats. As a professional adviser I would recommend anyone getting this letter from customs to deny everything and do nothing - but I believe in small government and individual rights rather than unnecessary government control (and its still Super Tuesday in the US so I'll make my stand) If I get anywhere I'll put the info into this thread.
Take care
Swaggie
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