Importing Naltrexone into Australia

[swaggie]

Attached is a post that I have just posted on the sinclair method community website which I think is relevant to anyone wishing to import medications into Australia from internet sources.

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

[drinkingal]

Importing Naltrexone into Australia

I'm wondering why you are importing it and not getting under a prescription from a doctor though? It's available by prescription for alcohol abuse in Australia but even your doctor has to phone through for authority when doing that. So it's not that it isn't available in oz but it's like any other prescription med in that you can't just go and buy it over the counter or on the internet. If you want to take it why not just do it the normal way instead of importing it yourself?

[YouKayBee]

Importing Naltrexone into Australia

drinkingal;1276039 wrote: I'm wondering why you are importing it and not getting under a prescription from a doctor though? It's available by prescription for alcohol abuse in Australia but even your doctor has to phone through for authority when doing that. So it's not that it isn't available in oz but it's like any other prescription med in that you can't just go and buy it over the counter or on the internet. If you want to take it why not just do it the normal way instead of importing it yourself?

I too thought it was licenced in Oz for use with alcoholism?

[GingerDust]

Importing Naltrexone into Australia

Swaggie, good luck! It sounds like that is a very big bull that you are taking by the horns. Please let us know how it goes.

[swaggie]

Importing Naltrexone into Australia

In Aus Naltrexone it is a licenced medicine and if you can get a doctor to prescribe it then they issue what is known as a government script. Its supposed to be used while abstinent - I have yet to find any doctor in Aus that is supportive of the Sinclair Method

So far I've tried three doctors to get a script and have been knocked back every time. The last told me to use "Will Power". If anyone knows of a doctor or clinic that is willing to prescribe Naltrexone I'd love to hear of them - I'm happy to travel interstate if necessary (I wasnt able to source any in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China or Hong Kong earlier in the year - all they wanted to sell me Viagra.

So without GP or specialist support I'm left with importing over the internet - Its interesting that River Pharmacy's prices for 120 tabs is not much more than 4 x 30 tab script price at the pharmacy (and that is for medicine that has a large government subsidy paid to the manufacturer - I feel that if I am self diagnosing and self medicating that I should also fully pay my own way

But I thought I would share my efforts to do this legally. (I read somewhere that the TGA will absolutely refuse to grant an import permit to an individual and that I'll need a GP to make the application - if thats the case then I agree why bother importing an just be a burdon on the government run health system

Swaggie

[blondie]

Importing Naltrexone into Australia

Hi Swaggie

Dr Neil Beck in Perth prescribes Naltrexone for addictions.

Hope that helps!

[Sammi33]

Importing Naltrexone into Australia

Hi,

I am in perth also and know of somewhere that will prescribe if you are interested.

Sammi xx

[woywoyboy]

Importing Naltrexone into Australia

G'day Swaggie, my last shipment of Bac as opened by Customs and had stickers affixed and a letter included to indicate this. It's not listed as a prohibited import however.
Good luck with reasoning with the TGA and winning a battle with cusoms:no:
Try Drugbeat SA or the Perth Naltrexone Clinic or keep looking for a Dr who won't do everything he can to finish the consultation as soon as you mention the words alcohol dependence. Also a call to your state based D&A service should be able to arm you with info on whom will prescribe it.
Australian Prescriber have some respectable info too which you may be able to refer any quacks to.
You may also have better luck with an alternative source and perhaps using a safe delivery address and a safe CC.

[missyabby1]

Importing Naltrexone into Australia

Naltrexone in Oz

Hi Swaggie, Dr George O'Neill prescribes Naltrexone here in Perth. His clinic is called "New Start" in Subiaco. He was one of the pioneers of this med in Oz. I guess they are worth giving a call. You don't necessarily have to mention the Sinclair Method to doctors. They are very good people at this clinic.....they also are willing to try other meds with you including baclofen and give amazing back up.

Good luck

Missy