Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Question about Pills in New Zealand

Hi,

Im planning a trip home for the first time since I got sick for two months and I was wondering if any kiwis out there could help me with the system. Here I dont need a prescription for my pills and can just buy them over the counter. I take sulfasalazine and Etoricoxib 90mg.

I was wondering if they are also available over the counter in New Zealand? and also if they are subsidised with a prescription? Who can prescribe them? my GP? or do I need a rheumy? also and Im pretty sure I wont have problems but Im allowed to take them through customs right?

Thanks in advance! any help of advice for travelling with pills welcome! hehe

Sonja xoxo

Hey there,
I can tell you now these won't be available over the counter.... But I am pretty sure that if you're already on something then your GP should be able to prescribe those meds rather than having to see a specialist. Just make sure you have a copy of med records that indicate that you've been on them, or a letter from your doc there. As to how much is subsidised, I'll be talking to a pharmacist shortly so will add that to my list of questions to ask.

Regarding meds and Customs, check here for the exact info. Since you are only going to be back for 2 months you will be able to bring enough with you for the duration of your trip. So, actually, that should mean you don't have to get a GP here to prescribe it....

Hi Sonja, I can't speak to NZ regulations (although like Kurumi, I rather doubt those meds will be available OTC), but I would advise that any meds you travel with be in their original bottles and that you pack them in your carry on bag. You might want to double-check this, but I believe they can have their own, separate, ziploc bag from any liquids you might take in your carry on (i.e. lotion, water, lip balm - all of which must be in containers smaller than 100ml and they all must fit in the same ziploc bag). Take enough with you to cover the entire trip, plus extra in case there is a delay in you returning.

Hugs,

Definitely need a prescription for those. Sulfasalazine is basically free here as the government subsidises it but I'd imagine that Eterocoxib would be expensive here. I don't think that any cox-2 drugs are funded. When I switched to celebrex which was not government funded it was very expensive (around $1 per pill) so it might pay to stock up on Eterocoxib if it is cheap in Argentina.

Thanks for the replies. I really have no idea what to expect from anything in NZ. I tried to get a Rheumy apt but it seems impossible during the time Im there.

If Sulfasalazine is subsidised I might get it there. As I really dont have the cash right now to buy two months of pills in advance! (things arent cheap here.. just easy to get and non-controlled)

anyway thanks for the advice. we should have a kickAS get together in NZ one day!!

Sonja

Sounds good. I wouldn't worry about a rheumy apt. A GP will be able to prescribe SSZ and Eterocoxib.

yeah SSZ is funded and you should be able to get it prescribed, as for eterocoxib I have a feeling that you won't be able to get it funded. I'm fairly sure that there will be one COX-2 inhibitor that is funded but it may not be that one (the way Pharmac work they usually get big pharma companies into a bidding war so they can get the best price on as many different classes of drugs as possible, usually just funding one or two of each class of drug).

Hey Sonja,
I was in talking to a pharmacist today. No COX-2 inhibitors are subsidised in NZ, and as a result I was told that the pharmacies can charge as much as they like for them... Was at a Life Pharmacy, and their price was $78.95 for 30x90mg tablets. Is it any cheaper over in Argentina? It is available as Arcoxia here.

hehe gutted it's only about $5 nzd cheaper here.. gutted I was hoping it was a big difference! stupid Argentina! thanks for checking it out. might just get it here.. seems easier.

hugs