Community Chat

[Kachina624]

I am beyond angry.  Last night I tried to place an order with the Canadian pharmacy from which I've ordered Voltaren Ointment for years.  It's the only thing that helps my stiff lower back when I first try to get up in the morning.  It's a very benign product and was being sold OTC at Walmart when I was in Canada 3 years ago. 

When I didn't see it on the list of products they carry, I shot off a message to the pharmacy and received a response today:

"Due to recent and unexpected pharmaceutical regulation changes, we are no longer able to ship Voltaren outside of Canada and have removed it from the items we carry." 

This makes me wonder if Canada has discontinued selling prescription drugs to US Citizens period.  I'm sure this has been a huge money-maker for Canada so what do you suppose the reason is? 

[suzyQ3]

@Kachina624, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm assuming that you cannot buy it in the U.S.?

I'd be surprised if Canada has stopped the sale of all prescription drugs to the U.S, but who the heck knows? I'll say no more. Lips sealed.

[Moonchilde]

I know this is from 2013, but it looks like doctors in Canada have been trying to outlaw Voltaren sales for years. Maybe it went through.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-headlines/arthritis-pain-drug-should-be-pulled-due-to-adverse-he...

ETA guess not, as it appears as though Amazon Canada still sells it, but I didn't go through an ordering process to see if they will ship to the US. 

I suspect it's some loophole that got closed, on either side.

[Billie1953]

Try Amazon...

[Snowpuppy]

I live close to the border and no, Canadians have not stopped selling to the US. Usually a drug is pulled because of side effects.

Have you contacted another pharmacy to see if you can order it? 

I order my contact lenses from Canada. One seller quit shipping to the US but I found another who still does.

[sandraskates]

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@Moonchilde wrote:

I know this is from 2013, but it looks like doctors in Canada have been trying to outlaw Voltaren sales for years. Maybe it went through.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-headlines/arthritis-pain-drug-should-be-pulled-due-to-adverse-he...

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I did a lookup on this drug and was amazed at all the warnings and contraindications listed. Perhaps you're right @Moonchilde .

[hoosieroriginal]

@Kachina624- Wow - @Moonchildegreat search - @Kachina624 - were you aware of these side effects?  Maybe you shouldn't be taking this drug at all by the sound of it.

[Kachina624]

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@Snowpuppy wrote:

I live close to the border and no, Canadians have not stopped selling to the US. Usually a drug is pulled because of side effects.

Have you contacted another pharmacy to see if you can order it? 

I order my contact lenses from Canada. One seller quit shipping to the US but I found another who still does.

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@Snowpuppy  Yes, I looked at 10 or so last night.  Apparently they'll still sell it to Canadians with a prescription. 

[Kachina624]

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@hoosieroriginal wrote:

@Kachina624- Wow - @Moonchildegreat search - @Kachina624 - were you aware of these side effects?  Maybe you shouldn't be taking this drug at all by the sound of it.

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@hoosieroriginal@  @Moonchilde  Yes, all that info is on the box.  As my doctor says, sometimes you have to weigh the risks against the benefits.  I use a minimal amount and only use it once a day. 

[Kachina624]

@suzyQ3  It is not available in the US in this formula.  I've tried this version and it was not effective.  It was only available by prescription in the US and was prohibitively expensive.  Most insurance wouldn't cover it.