UK bupropion supply issues: Is it possible to get a Buproprion prescription fulfilled in Europe, then imported back to UK? If so, how?

[Abi-Abster]

Hi All,

Has anyone from the UK managed to get prescriptions regularly fulfilled in the EU?

Since GlaxoSmithKline withdrew buproprion/ Wellbutrin from the market, our local NHS pharmacy has been able to import it for us from Europe. Unfortunately, this is no longer possible (Brexit, stock issues, etc).

We have prescriptions which theoretically could be fulfilled in the EU (say France, as it’s closest) but obviously since Brexit it’s become trickier to achieve this. But apparently it is possible.

Has anyone gone to the EU for regular prescriptions to be fulfilled, and if so, how does it work? What are the costs involved? Please talk me through it!

In other news, GlaxoSmithKline will be re-releasing bupropion back into the UK around Dec 2023, so hopefully we won’t have too long a period to fill with generic alternatives!

pharmaceutical-journal.com/...

We all 4 have ADHD in our family, and my partner and I rely on buproprion as a non-stimulant ADHD treatment; we’ve been through them all and no stimulants suited him. I do take stimulant medication, but bupropion helps with the things methylphenidate doesn’t.

The sanity of our family relies on bupropion being available; if you know how to, please advise on importing it ourselves. Thank you in advance 😀

A x

PS: I found this online about the wording of prescriptions for the EU, but not about how to actually fulfil them.

There is no specific form or format needed to use a prescription in another EU/EEA country or the UK. In general, prescriptions cannot currently be emailed. The prescription must include information about the patient, doctor or other health professional and medical product(s) prescribed including:

Your details as the patient

Your first name and surname written in full (not initials)

Your date of birth

The details of the health professional writing the prescription including their:

First name and surname written in full

Professional qualification

Contact details (email and telephone or fax including international prefix)

Work address (including the country)

Signature (written in ink in their handwriting or by electronic signature)

Date the prescription is issued

The prescription should also include details of the prescribed product including the:

Common name instead of the brand name. (If a specific brand is medically necessary the prescription should include a brief statement of the reason.) In the case of biological medicinal products, brand names may be used.

Format of the product, for example, tablets or solution.

Quantity and strength.

Dosage or instructions for use.

[Knitting20projects]

Hmmmm. I don't know about the EU. 20 years ago, people in the US could get prescriptions filled by Canadian pharmacies and shipped across the border into the US. This was a way to get medicines at cheaper prices. They had to be medicines that were also sold in the US. I don't know about the EU (or Europe specifically) now, sorry! Hope you figure something out. Bupropion is still FDA approved in the US for now.

[Serendipitious]

Not the EU but in London if that helps? There are a few pharmacies in the capital that can post out bupropion to you. You send them the prescription in the post if it’s a paper one or the psychiatrist sends it to them electronically. The EU will most likely be cheaper. These guys charge about £1.50 for a 150mg tablet sourced from the US. Prices have actually come down.

I tried bupropion for a few months and I think it made my sleep issues worse. I’ve stopped taking it. Not sure I did the right thing but I have other health issues too. I would be interested to know how it helps you? My psychiatrist said it was the perfect medication for me but I didn’t think so and she refused to listen to my concerns.

[FredaN]

I'm not entirely sure what the process was, but the psychiatrist I see at the community mental health team arranged for Bupropion to be imported from the US. I think it was through the hospital pharmacy. I did spend at least 6 months without it and got in quite a state due to other health issues too, plus Bupropion was pretty much the only thing that has taken the edge off my depression and anxiety (along with Lisdexamfetamine). It might be worth asking the doctor who prescribes it about that option, unless you can last until end of December.

My GP refuses to prescribe it (and Melatonin), but not sure if it's because it's off-label and/or the fact I have an eating disorder, so I have to get the prescription from the psychiatrist.