Posted by Cam W. on April 7, 2000, at 19:32:53
In reply to How come I am not allowed this medication in Canad, posted by Gregor on April 7, 2000, at 18:54:13
Gregory - Adderal has not been approved by Health Canada, yet. The drug's manufacturer has to prove to them that this drug is safe and efficacious. Just because the FDA (and perhaps the rest of the world) says that this drug is at least as good as existing treatments does not mean that Canadian officials are satisfied with the drug trials that have been published to date. I am not sure what the hold-up with Adderal is, but in general there is a backlog of drugs that are to be released (eg mirtazepine, ziprasidone, sertindol, etc.) (actually, because of potential heart problems, ziprasidone and sertindol will probably not be released). Health Canada just is funded that well to keep up with the demand for new drug release.Back in the late 1950s (I believe, or was it early 1960s?) the Canadian government was burned by an antinauseant they approved for pregnant women (thalidomide). This drug ended up costing the government quite a bit of money. Once bitten, twice shy. A drug entering Canada now must be proven safe. Our requirements are very strict. The Canadian government will ask for more testing to be done, even if the drug has proven it's mettle in the rest of the world.
That being said, Adderal may be approved for emergency release if requested by your doctor. Some drugs require only a form to be filled out. You usually have to have failed on all other therapies first.
Hope this helps (I know it won't) - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:1101
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000401/msgs/29231.html