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Chris-

That strategy makes sense except for the fact that customs might confiscate
meds being imported into at least the US.  I have heard of such cases where
meds from Canada were taken at the border when there were large amounts
bought by US citizens in Canada.

Charlie

----- Original Message -----
From: Chris van der Linden <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2000 2:20 AM
Subject: Re: price of PD medication


> Hi everybody,
>
> There is a simple way to have the medication at a lower price, but all
> members of the network have to participate.  Just list the price of
> anti-Parkinson medication (either per tablet, or per 100 tablets in the
> local currencies) on this list and than we will compare the prices. We
will
> than purchase the medication from a country with the lowest price and
> distribute it to the members, who pay too much.  Remember (especially for
> the USA members), that for example Sinemet 25/100 is the same in each
> country, from the same company, so don't be afraid that you will get
> something else or a different concentration etc.  of a specific
medication.
> Sometimes, medication in different countries have differerent names, to
make
> it more complicated for the "consumers". Therefore, I suggest we use the
> generic name if applicable. Here is a list of frequently used
anti-Parkinson
> medication:
> levodopa/carbidopa                    Sinemet
> levodopa/benserazide                Madopar/Prolopa
> selegiline                                      Eldepryl
> amantadine                                  Symmetrel/Amantan
> entacapone                                   Comtan
> tolcapone                                       Tasmar
> trihexyphenidyl                                Artane
> orphenadrine                                Disipal
> ropinorol                                        Requip
> pergolide                                       Permax
> bromocriptine                                Parlodel
> pramipexole                                    Mirapex
> etc.
>
> The pharmacological companies won't like this, but this is one way of
> showing them that we can bypass their high prices in certain countries.
> Maybe, they will than start to adjust their prices more uniformly.
> It does surprise me again that Parkinson support groups don't put pressure
> on companies and/or governments to lower the prices of meds.
>
> Good luck and again a happy and healthy 2000.
>
>
> Chris van der Linden, M.D.