Large language models (aka AI, like ChatGPT and Bard) use a trained transformer which is very different from a structured query mechanism. Probabilistic responses at such a large scale are something I have trouble conceptualizing.
Yes - its already done…
I bought 500 tablets of 2mg Sirolimus from India for $600 AUD including the shipping. It got stopped by border force and I got a letter from TGA to explain. I got a letter from my doctor and they released it for me.
Just to be clear - this happened in Australia, is that correct?
Yes the customs is in Australia. If my local GP will prescribe them for me it will only cost $29 AUD for 100x 2mg tablets, but 4x GPs later they all flat out refuse citing their insurer will not let them and I’m not a renal transplant patient.
Please add Varun Medicals, Nagpur. (Pravin Lahoti +91 8048617086)
Just received my third shipment from him into UK. All successful and no problem (latest shipment rather larger than I’ve done before so did attract the attention of customs for payment of VAT (payable on any shipment worth more than £135) but that’s not much more than paying two shipping charges to avoid it). Although Rx medicines clearly stated on the customs declaration, no requirement to provide a prescription.
20 days from payment to receipt.
Rapacan 1mg $0.7 per tablet
Acarbose 50mg (Glucobay) $0.2 per tablet
Bempedoic Acid 180mg (Bempetol) $0.3 per tablet
Telmisartan (Telmiheal 40) $1 per 15 tablets.
Shipping $45
He wants to be paid in INR even though he quotes in USD. He supplied an invoice number and Revolute payments work no problem.
Bempetol’s manufacturer is “Signature”: is it a good one? (never heard of it)
Same question for Telmaheal by Healing Pharma. I often see products from this company.
$45 shipping fees to the UK is extremely expensive. I paid $15 to $30 depending on the provider and quantity ordered.
First time I’ve ordered the bempedoic acid and Telmisartan so I’ll have to let you know in the future if they are doing what they are supposed to do.
Obviously will know on the bp much earlier than the lipids.
Having the desired effect is not enough. We want to make sure that 1/ it’s the right product (telmisartan and not another antihypertensive), 2/ the dose is right (that you have 40 mg of the desired active product and not 30 or 50) and 3/ there are no impurities or other things.
Telmisartan (generic) 30x 40mg tablets
Using GoodRX pay out of pocket using discount card/code in North New Jersey area
Yes, you would require a prescription.
If someone is buying from India, I would suggest targeting medications from only the largest of the Pharma companies (i.e. top 15 or so companies). There are many smaller pharma companies, that don’t adhere to international quality standards it seems.
Here is a list I found that may be helpful in this quest (Source here)
In this article, we will explore the Top 20 Pharmaceutical Companies in India and their contributions to the industry.
COMPANY NAME | FOUNDING YEAR | FOUNDER | HEADQUARTERS | VALUATION | REVENUE 2022 (CONSOLIDATED) | REVENUE (STANDALONE) | ACQUISITIONS | IPO STATUS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries | 1983 | Dilip Shanghvi | Goregaon, Mumbai | $26.2 Billion | $4.95 Billion | $2.07 Billion | 12 | Public |
Divi’s Laboratories | 1990 | Murali Divi | Hyderabad | $12.6 Billion | $1.13 Billion | $1.1 Billion | 0 | Public |
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories | 1984 | Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy | Hyderabad | $9.1 Billion | $2.7 Billion | $1.8 Billion | 6 | Public |
Cipla Limited | 1935 | Khwaja Abdul Hamied | Mumbai | $9.8 Billion | $2.7 Billion | $1.7 Billion | 6 | Public |
Emcure Pharmaceuticals | 1983 | Satish Ramanlal Mehta | Pune | $0.63 Billion | $762.8 Million | - | 4 | Registered |
Biocon Limited | 1978 | Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw | Bengaluru | $4.9 BIllion | $1.05 Billion | $241 Million | 1 | Public |
Torrent Pharma | 1959 | U. N. Mehta | Ahmedabad | $6.2 Billion | $1.09 Billion | $869.9 Million | 5 | Public |
Lupin Limited | 1968 | Desh Bandhu Gupta | Mumbai | $3.6 Billion | $2.07 Billion | $1.4 Billion | 9 | Public |
Zydus Lifesciences Limited (formerly Cadila Healthcare) | 1952 | Ramanbhai Patel | Ahmedabad | $4.4 Billion | $1.9 Billion | $1.02 Billion | 4 | Public |
Aurobindo Pharma Limited | 1986 | P. V. Ramaprasad Reddy and K. Nityananda Reddy | Hyderabad | $4.04 Billion | $2.9 Billion | $1.4 Billion | 7 | Public |
Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited | 1976 | Hasmukh Chudgar | Ahmedabad | $4.3 Billion | $2.2 Billion | - | 2 | Private |
Glenmark Pharma Limited | 1977 | Gracias Saldanha | Mumbai | $1.3 Billion | $1.5 Billion | $1.09 Billion | 4 | Public |
Mankind Pharma Limited | 1995 | R. C. Juneja and Rajeev Juneja | New Delhi | $1 Billion | - | 1 | Private | |
Piramal Enterprises Limited | 1984 | Ajay Piramal | Mumbai | $5.5 Billion | $1.8 Billion | $337.3 Million | 7 | Public |
Laurus Labs Ltd. | 2005 | Dr. Satyanarayana Chava | Hyderabad | $3.4 Billion | $619.8 Million | $591.1 Million | 1 | Public |
Abbott India Ltd. | 1944 | Dr Wallace Calvin Abbott | Mumbai | $5.3 Billion | - | $625.7 Million | 1 | Public |
Alkem Laboratories | 1973 | Samprada Singh | Mumbai | $4.7 Billion | $1.3 Billion | $1.1 Billion | 3 | Public |
Alembic Pharmaceuticals | 1907 | Prof. T. K. Gajjar, Prof. A. S. Kotibhasker, B. D. Amin | Vadodara | $1.7 Billion | $670.8 Million | $632 Million | 2 | Public |
Innovexia Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. | 2011 | Sandeep Khajuria | Chandigarh | - | $14.3 Million | - | - | Private |
Biophar Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd. | 2010 | Gulshan Rawat | Chandigarh | - | - | - | - | Private |
Top 20 Pharmaceutical Companies of India
- Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
- Divi’s Laboratories
- Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
- Cipla Limited
- Emcure Pharmaceuticals
- Biocon Limited
- Torrent Pharma
- Lupin Limited
- Zydus Lifesciences Limited (formerly Cadila Healthcare)
- Aurobindo Pharma Limited
- Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Glenmark Pharma Limited
- Innovexia Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.
- Biophar Lifesciences Pvt.Ltd.
- Mankind Pharma Limited
- Piramal Enterprises Limited
- Laurus Labs Ltd.
- Abbott India Ltd.
- Alkem Laboratories
- Alembic Pharmaceuticals
In this list I would only buy from companies that also sell in Europe and the US. Higher standards.
Yes - that is probably a good idea, but it takes a little more research to figure out those companies that do sell to Western Europe and USA. I’d guess that its these from the top of my head, but if anyone knows better, please post:
Also - some general information to help people understand the Pharma business and how it impacts us:
An example of the pricing differentials around the world for one, probably representative, drug (the Epipen):
What the global pharmaceutical industry looks like from a market capitalization perspective:
Note: I don’t think market capitalization is a very good measure of much (for consumers) regarding Pharma companies. Much better would be unit sales and quality history, but that data is much harder to find or obtain.
Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com
Epipens cost as little as $56/pen in the US, without insurance:
Epipens are twice as expensive in Canada:
Lupin is also massive in the US: Lupin Limited - Wikipedia
And Aurobindo has apparently a strong presence in the US and Europe: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/top-10-generic-drugmakers-2021-revenue
Also, with the exception of Intas, which is private, all the above companies are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. So they have the constant scrutiny of the markets.
For any Aussies, I just received 250 x 1mg Biocon Rapacan from Kunal at https://www.safeoverseas.in/
for US$215 including delivery. Fast postage, great communication and tracking updates and made it straight through customs.
Highly recommend and much cheaper than All Day Chemist where I purchased prior.
FWIW
Received a marketing email today 04/05/2024
“50 x 1mg Film Coated Rapamycin (Sirolimus nanoparticles) Tablets”
RapaPro brand, manufacturer in India.
$70.00
I do not have any financial interest in this organization.