[noobie]

Are most pharmaceuticals which are available in the US available in NZ?

[Oregonkiwi]

It seems like most over the counter stuff is, we were in NZ recently and all caught bad colds on the plane, had no trouble finding Sudafed, Benadryl, etc, plus you can get ibuprofen with codeine OTC. As for prescription meds, you could try the Ministry of Health website maybe? Did you have any particular drugs in mind?

[toesonthenose]

Aloha Noobie,
I am a family physician with some MD friends in NZ, and yes I am sure they have access to all the same medications as the US, Canada, and the rest of the developed world. If there are any in particular, you could probably find out about its availability with a little due diligence.
Shaun

[noobie]

Thank you both, I appreciate it!

[Avalon]

, had no trouble finding Sudafed,

Just be aware that this a now a controlled substance in NZ - you wouldnt believe the grief i got for trying to buy some!

Anything with Pseudoephidrine in requires Photo ID - IF they will let you have it.

Also - cost of OTC meds seem ridiculously high - so it may be worth bringing some over.

[Oregonkiwi]

Avalon, it was Sudafed PE, not the ''bad" one, (which you actually need a prescription for here in Oregon now!), anyway husband didn't report any problems buying it at the chemist. Although he did have to talk to the pharmacist and cough for her so she could make sure he was buying the right kind of cough syrup - we thought that was amusing though of course I see the sense behind it. And there was definitely some price sticker shock.

[Avalon]

Avalon, it was Sudafed PE, not the ''bad" one, (which you actually need a prescription for here in Oregon now!), anyway husband didn't report any problems buying it at the chemist. Although he did have to talk to the pharmacist and cough for her so she could make sure he was buying the right kind of cough syrup - we thought that was amusing though of course I see the sense behind it. And there was definitely some price sticker shock.

Nice one - thanks for clearing that. Unfortuantely I really did need the "P" bit of it. I didnt even get to speak to the pharmacist till I told the incredibly obnoxious assistant that I WAS a pharmacist. At which point she practically licked my boots on account of having just treated me like I was an addict!


Oooh - also occurs to me that just in case you dont know - Acetominophen (Tylenol) is Paracetamol here.

[mossum]

morning all ,

I for one will be cramming as much OTC stuff as i can in as many places as i can . Last visit I needed ibuprofen as i'd run out - I nearly fainted when she said how much !!!!!! I think 20 ibuprofen was $10 !!!! eeeeeekkkk i get16 from tesco for 36p ! and then she put all my details on the computer - apparantly a legal requirement ?!?! I also felt like some kind of junkie .

Think i might ask the boss if i can order the large catering pack at work - we occasionally (dental surgery ) give drugs to pts that have had long procedures - implants , sinus elevation etc .

My container will rattle when they pick it up :laugh

vic x

[Avalon]

Regarding costs - a lot of the problem here is that they do not market generic versions of medicines. For example - you only ever really see Nurofen here - which IS an expensive brand of Ibuprofen. In fact - much to my utter disgust - some twit from the guild Of Pharmacists here was actually on telly saying it was because the brand was BETTER than the cheap version. (Imagine a rude word here beginning with B :D )

However - you can ASK for the generic versions. I recntly asked for the generic version of Zyrtec: $47 for the brand - $20 for the cheaper stuff - EXACTLY the same thing! :nice1

Havent had to do it for ibuprofen as mum bought a load in the container - thanks to a very helpful pharmacist back home.

[jubjub]

The other thing I find odd is that some of the items are cheaper for one brand than another cos they are government subsidised. An example is my eye drops I use, 5.95 for one, nearly $20 for another, both the same, only realised this when I went to first buy them here, and had to ask, got a very helpful man who pointed me to the cheapest...

Also prescription charges seem to have no set cost.

but apart from that we get everything we always did get, albeit called something different, but as I found the pharmacists generally point you in the right direction.

Ta for the Zyrtec tip Avalon, will remember that the next time hubby gets bitten....

[StevieD]

This is a fantastic thread - I can hear the container now, rattling and clanking with all the medicines and tablets -- just in case! So Ibuprofen, Sudafed, paracetomol et al will be well loaded along with all the other stuff that we will bring. But what about customs? Will it cause a problem with them? Hmmm...

[jo b]

Steve shouldn't do I brought boat loads of paracetamol, codiene, imigran etc. no probs.

Jo

[jubjub]

Sudofed would be a prob cos of the pseudoephydrine in it, its a controlled drug as mentioned above (I think by Avalon) chances are you would get away with it in a container of personal effects, but we were watching Border patrol the other night (reality tv show of NZ customs), and these guys bought some in their case and got a few years jail (they did have quite a few though)

Cant see a few packs getting you into bother... they barely look at the cointainer contents from what I can tell.... only thing they asked about was prescription meds on the import MAF/Customs paperwork.

Edit

Should have added, the sudofed issue is cos its used to make "P" methamphetimine, a big street drug over here. You hear about it in the same way you would heroin in the UK, crime/addiction etc...

[noobie]

Thanks for all the info!

[jen]

I had the same experience trying to get Sudafed on our trip - had a bad cold that the 12 hr flight turned into the sinus headache from hell. I explained it to the assistants in a pharmacy in Rotorura who ended up giving us a packet that somebody had ordered but not picked up yet. We asked what the restrictions were all about & they explained the methamphetamine connection.

Thanks for the info on asking for generic drugs - my health insurance charges more for 'name brand' and is always sending info reminding me to ask my doctor for them, so it'll be a change to have to TRY to get them.

And if we move, I'm definitely stocking up on ibufrobin; a bottle of 750 pills is something like $6 US at Costco!

[Avalon]

So Ibuprofen, Sudafed, paracetomol et al will be well loaded along with all the other stuff that we will bring. But what about customs? Will it cause a problem with them? Hmmm...

Dont even think about the sudafed! If customs find that - you could be in big trouble. The problem is so bad they probably will NOT believe that a large stock is for personal use.

When I come pack in May - im going to bring 1 packet in and declare it and see what happens. I really fancy having a small stock for emergencies without having to go to a snotty assistant again. Ill let you know whether it gets through.

[mossum]

a question for avalon please ?

What about vectavir (penciclovir ) for cold sores - I find this works very well for me (million times better than aciclovir / zovirax ) Is it avaliable ? can i get ot OTC ? is it worth bringing a tube or 4 ??? It does last forever .

sorry to be a pain :uhoh

vic x

[Debbie]

The first remeoval firm we had in said that we couldn't take any over the counter stuff in the container and advised max of 3 months prescription stuff by hand. Our they being overly harsh? Has anyone had trouble with over the counter stuff in containers.

Also, (sorry if slightly off thread) can someone confirm what the prescription charge system is, do kids have to pay for their meds?, is there a standard subsidy that comes off all prescribed meds or a standard charge per item or is it a random cost.

Somehow I've managed to get this far down the emigration road without much idea of the health provision system.
Debbie

[Oregonkiwi]

Debbie - yes, there is a system for prescription charges. I think there's a standard subsidy for medications on a list of approved meds, but you pay more for meds not on that list. Sorry I don't have a link right now, but try the Ministry of Health website.

[Oregonkiwi]

I found the link:
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/wpg_index/About-Eligibility+-+NZ+Health+System+-+What+is+publicly+funded#drugs

It says:

Pharmaceutical drugs or medicines are generally free for children under six years old but everyone else who is eligible for publicly funded healthcare pays a co-payment. The cost will depend on the particular drug.

The maximum charge for prescribed medicines that are listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule is either the price of the item or $15, which ever is the lesser amount. The Schedule lists around 2600 prescription medicines and related products subsidised by the Government.

[Avalon]

a question for avalon please ?

What about vectavir (penciclovir ) for cold sores - I find this works very well for me (million times better than aciclovir / zovirax ) Is it avaliable ? can i get ot OTC ? is it worth bringing a tube or 4 ??? It does last forever .

sorry to be a pain :uhoh

vic x

Sorry - only just looked at this again today - wasnt ignoring you.

I honestly dont know. Cant rememebr the last time i had a cold sore - and then I treated with Essential Oils.

However - I can say its probably cheaper to bring it over - and I cant see any legal issues (pretty sure it cant be altered into a street drug :laugh )

[Avalon]

Also, (sorry if slightly off thread) can someone confirm what the prescription charge system is, do kids have to pay for their meds?, is there a standard subsidy that comes off all prescribed meds or a standard charge per item or is it a random cost.


Debbie - have you ever had a Private Prescription in the UK? If so - then charges here are much more like that than for a standard NHS prescription charge. As far as im aware - charges are capped for the subsiidised medicines, and the govt pays the rest, but if its not subsidised - you pay the market rate.

The price you would pay in the UK for a private script to be dispensed will ususally just be the actual cost of the drugs with a % added on to cover the dispensing, bottle and a bit of profit.

As im not working as a pharmacist here in NZ (thanking my luck stars that I dont have to) - I cant be more help Im sorry. And we have only had to get a prescription here once.

[Avalon]

a question for avalon please ?

What about vectavir (penciclovir ) for cold sores - I find this works very well for me (million times better than aciclovir / zovirax ) Is it avaliable ? can i get ot OTC ? is it worth bringing a tube or 4 ??? It does last forever .

sorry to be a pain :uhoh

vic x

I checked the prices today in Masterton at the Unichem Pharmacy:

Vectavir is about $20 (nz) for a 2g tube
Zovirax is $25 for a 2 g tube
:exit

Id bring a tube or 40!

[katandbob]

I checked the prices today in Masterton at the Unichem Pharmacy:

Vectavir is about $20 (nz) for a 2g tube
Zovirax is $25 for a 2 g tube
:exit

Id bring a tube or 40!
:wah Ouch,my case is going to be full of medications not clothes!

[sweetpea]

:wah Ouch,my case is going to be full of medications not clothes!

Just another quick thing to add to the suitcase -- hydrocortisone cream. $$$ and the OTC version is weak here. Actually, if I had to do it again, I'd bring half of the Costco drug section over with me :D Thank God I at least brought 500 ibuprofen.

Laura

[mossum]

Avalon ,

thanks so much for checking out those prices for me - its much appreciated ! :nice1

think I'm going to stop looking in my BNF & getting depressed .

vic x

[Questor]

Never realised there were so many of us pharmaceutical types making the way over!! :)

[Avalon]

Just updating this regarding Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine).

Mum has just successfully sent me a box of 24 tablets through the post. (I had a second bout of very bad head cold the other week and decided I really wanted some at home in case of another one).

She listed it on the box as "Decongestants" and the box was opened and inspected by customs. It also had anticonvulsants in for epilepsy.

All came through - no problems. I still would only send 1 box at a time - but it is possible. And I dont have to be treated like a criminal!

[jo-and-jeff]

I recommend that you bring a plentiful supply of:
Ibuprofen (very expensive) or
Naproxen (very expensive)
Pseudoephedrine (hard to get even though OTC)
Hydrocortizone cream (not OTC, except weak version)
Bacitracin / Neosporin cream or ointment (not OTC)

I was quite shocked to find that you can't get a Bacitracin/Neosporin equivalent OTC here. Because it's an antibiotic, it's prescription only.

Although I declared a couple of prescription drugs in a First Aid box in my container and was required to procure a physician's letter for them, Customs did not even check the container or ask to see them. Bring some of the above items with you when you fly in, preferably in your toiletries bag with your other medications. Send some in your container, in a First Aid or medicine kit along with your bandages, analgesics, etc., and it should be obvious that it's simply part of your usual health-care box. It's my understanding that if it's not prescription in the country you're leaving, you don't have to declare it.

Jo

[Avalon]

Jo,

Anyone bringing in a plentiful supply of Pseudoephidrine without declaring it - may get into hot water, which is why I only got one packet sent. "P" is such a huge problem here - if you bring lots of sudafed though - it may be considred that you are selling it or manufacturing.

I would advise anyone who wants to bring sudafed into NZ declares it. Its not worth the grief if you dont and they find it - especially if its quite a large supply.

:nice1

[k-k]

Sudafed and Pseudoephedrine products are still available in NZ but depending on the 'P' problem in the area many pharmacies keep it hidden to avoid shoplifters and also to make it easier to avoid selling it to an obvious 'P' shopper. Genuine customers will be asked for a photo driving licence as ID (this is a NZ police regulation), and in some areas the products are only sold to locals. Bearing in mind the 'P' shoppers will travel hundred of miles to buy psuedo products so someone not local is always regarded as suspicious. A packet of Codral Day and Night tablets bought for $20 can be sold to the 'P' labs for $100 and converted to $500 worth of P so it's a very lucrative business. Sudafed PE contains another decongestant (phenylephrine) and is not subject to the ID requirements.

For anyone coming to the country it's worthwhile bringing some generic Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, and Co-codamol, as only branded and therefore more expensive products are available. Pretty much anything you can get in its generic form (anti histamines, painkillers etc) are worth popping in the suitcase as are vitamins which are an outrageous price over here.

1% Hydrocortisone is available in NZ but sold as a pharmacist only medicine so it's usually kept in the dispensary. Other pharmacist medicines are Voltaren (diclofenac) 25mg tablets, anti fungal drops and gel (for oral thrush), Canesten Pessaries and Creams (except 1%), antihistamine based sleeping tablets, some of the childrens cold remedies containing an antihistamine, and some of the migraine treatments, (Mersyndol and Paramax).

There are no antibiotic creams or ointments available OTC.

If anyone wants any more info on otc or prescription meds let me know, it will give me something else to do at work other than dispense mountains of prescriptions.

K-K :)

[Moorf]

K-K - thanks for that.

How is the product that contains the P ingredients better than the ones without? I've always wondered why they continue to sell/stock it when it is so often abused when there appear to be many alternatives available.

[k-k]

Moorf

Some people say the Pseudoephedrine works better for them and they find the alternative less effective. I find Pseudoephedrine makes me light headed and keeps me awake all night so I tend not to take it, prefering the phenylephrine products. Pharmacists I've met all have their own preference when recommending a product and both are good decongestants, it's just unfortunate that there is this problem here. In the UK I wouldn't have hesitated to recommend Sudafed or products containing Pseudoephedrine to people.

After having to deal with the unpleasant side of pseudo shoppers my feeling is they should just get rid of all the pseudo products because there are alternatives. To me it seems the obvious solution to the problem. Unfortunately the pharmaceutical industry is a money driven business and no company will withdraw a product that is still making them money.

Until the pharmacies,drug companies, police and government can come to a united decision, the problem remains.

Karen

[Moorf]

Thanks for that Karen :nice1

[Smiler]

For anyone coming to the country it's worthwhile bringing some generic Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, and Co-codamol, as only branded and therefore more expensive products are available. Pretty much anything you can get in its generic form (anti histamines, painkillers etc) are worth popping in the suitcase as are vitamins which are an outrageous price over here.

K-K :)

I'll get MIL to leave the clothes out of her case then..............

Thanks karen. :nice1

[Avalon]

Moorf

Some people say the Pseudoephedrine works better for them and they find the alternative less effective.
Have to say that until I got thise headcold, i never noticed a difference between the two. But I did try Phenylepherine the other week and it did diddly squat for me. On saying that - I do feel that this is a mutant-cold-from-mars or something. I never get colds :confused: In fact - thats the only reason I asked mum to send some. Normally im of the "eucalyptus steam inhalation" school of decongestants. Not even that worked :wah

Though this does highlight why I wanted out of pharmacy. It can be very demoralising having to deal with requests for abusable subtancies, especially when customers get nasty. Ive ended up in tears more than once becasue of it.

[Moorf]

:yes Yep, myself and a few others have had the flu from hell this year - very nasty. :wah

[Questor]

I tend to find the systemic prodcuts do nothing for me, and ~I usually use inhalers with oxy or xylometazoline - that usually sorts me out (that and plenty of co-codamol!)

[Neeps]

I found an interesting site


http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/interactive/

PHARMAC, the Pharmaceutical Management Agency of New Zealand. This is where you can find information on who we are, what we do, and how we use the available funding to obtain the best value medicines for all New Zealanders.

[khhill]

Side question on the flu: Are there different strains of the flu in NZ versus UK or US? It seams the immigrants get hit harder than the locals. OH and I were discussing this possibility as a reason to get a flu shot even though we normally do not.

[hcykana]

My husband has adult ADHD. He's been tested for it numerous time, treated like a junkie, and generally had to fight to be properly medicated for it for years now. He's found that Adderall (specifically, Adderall XR) works best for him. It's basically speed, however, so it is very highly controlled. He will not be able to stock up, as he only gets 30 days worth at a time. He might not even get into the country with it, which would be a nightmare as he is a SPAZ without it.

I've tried poking around, and it doesn't seem as though Adderall is available in NZ. Does anyone know for sure? He will be very, very upset if he has to either go without or go onto something that doesn't work nearly as well for him.

[k-k]

I don't think Adderall is available in NZ and there dosen't seem to be anything like it either. ADHD is treated here with dexamphetamine or methylphenidate (Ritalin). They have to be prescribed by a specialist and for Pharmac to subsidise the cost the patient needs to meet certain criteria.

Regards
K-K

[beeline]

If anyone wants any more info on otc or prescription meds let me know, it will give me something else to do at work other than dispense mountains of prescriptions.


I'll take you up on that k-k -- thanks for offering! I'm wondering if Levoxyl is available for thyroid replacement. It used to be generic here but now has become "brandname" (don't ask me how that happens) and a new generic is usually substituted for it. i think i remember seeing on the pharmac site that only the generic is subsidized, but does that mean that levoxyl isn't available?

thanks again!

[k-k]

Hi Beeline

I'm happy to help anyone with their medication queries. I think alot of people coming from the States and the UK will be surprised at the limited list of drugs available in NZ.

Levoxyl seems to be a brand name for levothyroxine otherwise known as plain old thyroxine.(Did you get Levoxyl in NZ?). Over here the only thyroxine preparation subsidised whether it is written generically or not is Eltroxin (available only in 50mcg and 100mcg tablets). I doubt Levoxyl is available here, even if you were prepared to pay non subsidised prices.

Pharmac negotiates prices with the manufacturers and the one that comes up with the best deal becomes the subsidised product. Unfortunately when a manufacturer loses the subsidy contract their sales drop considerably and usually they just remove their product from the NZ market completely, and that product is no longer held by the warehouses that supply pharmacies. It's tough for people who have been on one particular brand and are happy with it because all of a sudden it they can't get it.

I think a lot of people will find they are forced to change to a different medication when they come over here as the product they are used to is just not available let alone subsidised.

Hope that helps
regards
Karen :)