PLEASE HELP - Need ideas fast!

Nurses General Nursing

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Got a pretty dire situation developing for my brother in France. He is attending a university there until May. He's a hemophiliac and requires prescription medication daily. He could only take a 90-day supply with him when he went over. He mistakenly thought that my dad would be able to send his re-fills there as he needed it. But it's illegal to ship prescription medication from the U.S. to France unless it is from one corp to another. Fed-Ex won't do it. My dad has tried every avenue he can think of to get my brother's meds to him. As a desperate last resort, he even tried sending them through regular mail which was a huge mistake because $5000 worth of meds are now lost. If I could afford it, and take the time off work, I'd fly over there with his meds. But it's out of the question for me. My dad isn't in a position to go over there either. Surely my brother isn't the first overseas student this has happened to?! My brother is down to his last 7 days worth of meds. If he doesn't get a new supply, he'll have to come home. My heart is breaking for him because he's been through so much and it seems his dreams just keep getting crushed. Isn't there a way to get his meds to him? Anybody have experience in this kind of situation? Can his doctor phone his prescription over there? Any suggestions or experiences please!!!

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Maybe he could talk to the Embassy there. I've heard they can pull some major strings!!

Good luck.

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I'm sure this isn't a new thought, but you didn't mention it, so I'll ask. Can't he go to a doctor there and get a prescription? The new doc could contact his doc at home if need be.

So sorry he has to go through this. Seems like there has to be some way around the dilemma. Good luck.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

No real experience here.

#1. Best suggestion is to contact the French university Student Health Center first thing tomorrow for assistance. They should have ALREADY been aware of his special needs.

#2. Would contact pharmacy providing his factor product for info---think they would be able to tap into world-wide connections. When I worked home IV infusion these pharmacist specialists were a wealth of knowledge.

#3. Be aware that many pharmacy RX and medical plans will not cover medication/treatment outside the US.

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I know that the doctor can not call in meds overseas because their liscence is not good out of the state that it is issued. Is their a reason he can not go to the local hospital there and see someone that can prescibe the meds before he runs out? It seems that would be more logical than someone risking shipping meds across international lines. When meds go through Customs, they have a right to search and seize anything because they have no idea that they are what they are labeled. I have personal experience with this issue as I had to try and send meds to Mexico when my Uncle was living down there. He got the package minus the meds that I had sent. There were removed by Customs!! I would also suggest that he have medical care established there before he needs it. What if he has a major medical problem and has to find care in a hurry? He has 7 days to establish medical care that he can get prescriptions through. I hope this helps at least a little!! :o

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Thanks for the replies! :kiss These are very good ideas and I will call my brother with these suggestions! I'm also going to call the medical school where my brother has been getting treated and see if they can do anything.

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http://www.intransit-international.com/life_paris_hospital_health.html

Check out this web page, it has information on English speaking Pharmacies, American & British hospitals etc. in France. Good luck to your brother.

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The French medical system is superb, if he does in fact end up needing to see a French doc.

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If the meds can be shipped from one corp to another, can't the pharmacy ship it to the embassy and your brother pick it up there? Or ship embassy to embassy?

Aren't you pissed at him for waiting until he was almost out of meds to figure this out? I would be if it were my brother worrying everyone like that! Maybe ultimately this will be nothing more than a lesson in planning ahead for him...

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