A question for the doctors in the house

In My Humble Opinion
1

No, I’m not asking for a diagnosis or treatment plan.

I’m asking about international prescriptions.

Here’s the deal. My fiancé, an Indian guy whose entire family is still in India, has a mom who has osteoporosis. A doctor prescribed calcitonin (salmon) for her. After a bunch of searching, she found out that the drug’s not available in India. I’d like to get it for her. I’m heading for India next week, for an engagement ceremony (yes, we’re already engaged American-style, but his folks really want the public ceremony and dinner thing for it–don’t ask) and to meet all of his folks.

Of course, I don’t have a prescription for the drug. My fiancé’s mom has a scrip, but, at this point, it’s a month old and from a private practitioner in Calcutta. Can anyone think of a good way to get this drug to her?

Calcitonin (salmon) is a generic name for the drug. Another term is calcitonin 1 precursor (salmon). The medication’s marketed by Novartis as Miacalcin.

I’d appreciate any help you could give me with this. Thanks.

2

Why would her Indian doctor prescribe her a drug that’s not available in India? Can she not ask for another drug?

3

Looks like another brand name for the stuff is Fortical, from Upsher-Smith.

Either of these are pretty new and not in generic form yet.

4

Gotpasswords and ivylass–Thanks for your advice and concern!

My mom, who works for a biotech company, searched for alternate licensing names for calcitonin. It turns out that calcitonin is available in India, but it goes by the names “zycalcit” and “macalcic.” My fiancé’s mom should be able to find the drug in Calcutta.

Thanks again, guys!

5

Fortical is the generic of Miacalcin, it just comes in a branded-name form. It’s been around for a while, just not as commonly prescribed as Actonel, Fosamax or Boniva.