Germany has been using a drug for the past 10 years called Memantine for advanced alzheimer's patients. My father has advanced alzheimers. Is there any way to have it imported from Germany? It is not yet approved by the FDA. Thanks for any info.

My advise would be to contact the
F.D.A. They might have more information
on the drug, it's claimed success rate,
it's side effects; etc..., and they
may have test results and a time-table
for approval date available for you.
The only other source that I know of
would be a drug savy Dr. in the field
may know the time-table for the drug,
it's effects and approval and so forth.
Good Luck
OH, in the meantime anyone wanting to
read more about memantine can find an
on-line artical at: http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/living/dailynews/alzheimer's000716.html



------------------
Gizmo

Joe,

Good news, I have an update on your question. Sorry that it took so long but I just got this Email from a friend today.
I'm going to cut and past the important parts of this message below:
**************************************** ***
Subject: House legalizes mail-order drug imports


July 11, 2001 Posted: 4:35 PM EDT (2035 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House, looking to cut drug costs, voted Wednesday to make it legal for Americans to buy prescription drugs from abroad by mail order. Lawmakers approved the measure 324-101, rejecting arguments by the pharmaceutical industry and the Food and Drug dministration that it could result in consumers being sold counterfeit or contaminated drugs. People
caught ordering drugs by mail order often get warning letters from the FDA.

The House turned down, 267-159, a broader measure that would have allowed distributors to reimport American-made pharmaceuticals that are sold more cheaply abroad. A law passed last year to allow such importation has effectively been blocked because of a provision that would require the government to guarantee the medicines' safety.

"Tens of thousands of Americans should not have to continue fleeing to Canada and Mexico to buy their medicine at far lower prices than they pay at home," said Rep. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent.

Prescriptions can cost three to four times less in Europe and Canada than in the United States due to price controls abroad. For example, a 30-day supply of Claritin, an allergy medication, costs $63 in the United States, compared with $16 in Europe, according to the Life Extension Foundation,
an advocacy group.


**************************************** ***

I do not know the accuracy of it. But, I thought that I would pass it on to you, and if the information contained in this message is true, then any drug mail order house in Germany should be able to take your order for Memantine and ship it to you. Hunt around in your library and on-line for Mail Order Drug Companies that will ship out of Germany.

Good Luck to You, I hope that this helps.

Gizmo




[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 08-06-2001).]

I believe I read somewhere that this is now available in the USA or soon would be. Mike

Originally posted by Joe Petrone:
Germany has been using a drug for the past 10 years called Memantine for advanced alzheimer's patients. My father has advanced alzheimers. Is there any way to have it imported from Germany? It is not yet approved by the FDA. Thanks for any info.


Joe, if you find ANYWHERE we can get this drug, PLEASE post it on the board. Thanks.

Thanks for all your replies. I have found a place to get the drug Memantine. You can get it through a mail order company based in North Carolina, at www.globalrx.com (http://www.globalrx.com) I do believe you need a U.S. doctor to prescibe it, and there is a maximum amount that can be imported for each mailing. I believe a 2 month supply, depending on the prescription, will cost about $500. Do your research on the drug before putting a loved one on this medication. I'm still researching it. Thanks again,
Joe

Another place for info about this drug is http://www.alzforum.org/members/research/drugs/memantine.html


Joe