An American Nurse Orders Zoloft (sertraline) From the United Kingdom

PharmacyChecker recently received a letter from Crystal Griffith, a registered nurse living in Baker, Florida who orders her medication from international online pharmacies accredited in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program:

Dear PharmacyChecker,

I'm 75 with an autoimmune disorder, diabetes, hypertension, and a few minor medical issues. I have gotten several drugs from Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Israel over many years due to the inability to afford USA prices and being denied coverage under Medicare Part D.

The generic drugs do not work for me in two categories: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). I take the brand Feldene (piroxicam) 20 mg, an NSAID,  for pain, and brand name Zoloft (sertraline) 100 mg, an SSRI. The mail order price I pay changes depending on where I order it from. I use an online pharmacy accredited by the PharmacyChecker International Verification Program, which usually ships them from the UK. Once in a while, if they don't list the UK, I have to buy from New Zealand or Australia. In the UK, Zoloft is named Lustral. It’s the same drug made by Pfizer (sertraline) – just branded differently. Ordering Lustral from the UK normally runs me about $250 with shipping. 

The cost for name brand in the US runs about $1200/three-month supply for each drug. That's about $10K per year. From Canada, I pay about $250/three-month supply for both drugs. That's about $1K per year. A significant difference.

I remember hearing/reading about the perils of drugs from other countries for years. As an RN, my thought was "If these drugs are so bad, why aren't all the people in Canada, England, etc. dropping dead from bad drugs?” Obviously, the answer is they aren't. They are getting quality drugs just like we are but we're being gouged on prices because our Congress is too chicken to enact laws limiting prices on drugs. Too much money is coming from Big Pharma.

Sincerely, 

Crystal Griffith RN

Zoloft (sertraline) Cost Comparison

100mg, 90 tablets

Prices collected November 2023

Sertraline is marketed internationally under the brand names Zoloft, Lustral, and Daxid.

Feldene (piroxicam) Cost Comparison

20mg, 90 capsules

Prices collected November 2023