Shipping Medicines

I have sent your question to a pharmacist friend of mine. If she can pass on any information, I'll forward it to you.

Here's the reply I received from my pharmacist friend, I hope it helps:

Focalin is not available in KSA. Focalin is dexmethylphenidate, an isomer of methylphenidate (essentially the same thing). Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is available on the formulary. I looked up trials between methylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate and there is no clinically significant difference. Patients have to be on trials of formulary medications before we would consider ordering a non-formulary item. However, I doubt we’d be able to import this drug because it is a controlled substance and subject to very strict rules.

Some patients have family members mail drugs from the US. You could ship via Fed ex or UPS, but have to label the box vitamins…they won’t ship drugs. Regarding reimbursement, I think it would be covered through our drug plan in the US. Best bet…switch to methylphenidate.

The Aetna insurance does have a cost savings mail order drug service, I don't know if this drug would be available on it.

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I have to have certain drugs sent to me by presciption from my GP in Scotland - sorry I cannot help about the US but what I do here is let my GP know what I require and he is very good to contact my GP in Scotland and has it all sent to my PO Box number here - so far I have had no problems I just use normal airmail recorded delivery and yes it is marked as vitamins never had to use UPS as that would be quite costly and yes I do have to pay for the shipment and airmail service.

Carolina