Enbrel /biologic in Australia

[PandRBarry]

I read that there are some “biological” medicines Requiring special permission to bring into Australia. Has anyone run into this issue? Enbrel or Humira type prescriptions? I cant seem to get an answer from any of their government sites. Thanks.

[GeezerCouple]

13 minutes ago, PandRBarry said:

I read that there are some “biological” medicines Requiring special permission to bring into Australia. Has anyone run into this issue? Enbrel or Humira type prescriptions? I cant seem to get an answer from any of their government sites. Thanks.

 

Is this the website you were using?

 

https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-lea ... substance

 

We were able to find all the meds that we needed, although none were biologicals.

 

GC

[dillpickle48]

Quick Google search "Enbrel and Humira in Australia" shows their approval in Australia.  Make sure you get a statement signed by your doctor stating why you need these and all should be OK. Keep in original containers.

[PandRBarry]

Thank you for your replies. Yes I understand that humira and Enbrel are approved medicine in Australia but border control states that special permission is needed to bring in some biological medicine that is derived from living cells which describes Enbrel. Unfortunately, I can’t find a list of those medicines. I was hoping someone on CC may have brought it in when visiting.

[GeezerCouple]

2 hours ago, PandRBarry said:

Thank you for your replies. Yes I understand that humira and Enbrel are approved medicine in Australia but border control states that special permission is needed to bring in some biological medicine that is derived from living cells which describes Enbrel. Unfortunately, I can’t find a list of those medicines. I was hoping someone on CC may have brought it in when visiting.

 

Why not email the agency that is shown in the link I posted above for you?

That's going to be so much more reliable and up to date than a bunch of anonymous internet strangers.

 

GC

[PandRBarry]

9 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Why not email the agency that is shown in the link I posted above for you?

That's going to be so much more reliable and up to date than a bunch of anonymous internet strangers.

 

GC

I have sent numerous emails to them and others and have got no response which is why I'm asking CC.  There is also no toll-free number to call but I will apparently have to bite the bullet and try calling late at night when someone might answer.

[PandRBarry]

12 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Is this the website you were using?

 

https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-lea ... substance

 

We were able to find all the meds that we needed, although none were biologicals.

 

GC

Yes that is one of the websites.  Here is what that says under personal medical use...

The following items require permission from the Office of Drug Control when travelling to Australia:

• Injections that contain material of human or animal origin (e.g. Hizentra®, Clexane®).

[GeezerCouple]

Just now, PandRBarry said:

Yes that is one of the websites.  Here is what that says under personal medical use...

The following items require permission from the Office of Drug Control when travelling to Australia:

• Injections that contain material of human or animal origin (e.g. Hizentra®, Clexane®).

 

Yes, I know.

 

If it were us, we'd just contact them for the permissions, stating which meds and perhaps planned dates of the visit.

That's what we've done elsewhere when there was something that might need permission.  Then they can tell us precisely any limits, etc., or that no permission is needed or whatever they need to communicate.

 

For Japan, which seemed to have considerable rules/restrictions, we just sent a list for each of us as to which meds we take, and they wrote back with any limits for some, any that needed permissions, and what was prohibited (regular Sudafed!).

 

Are you saying that you've written, asking how to obtain permission for Embrel, and given your dates of travel and still heard nothing?

 

GC

[PandRBarry]

9 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Yes, I know.

 

If it were us, we'd just contact them for the permissions, stating which meds and perhaps planned dates of the visit.

That's what we've done elsewhere when there was something that might need permission.  Then they can tell us precisely any limits, etc., or that no permission is needed or whatever they need to communicate.

 

For Japan, which seemed to have considerable rules/restrictions, we just sent a list for each of us as to which meds we take, and they wrote back with any limits for some, any that needed permissions, and what was prohibited (regular Sudafed!).

 

Are you saying that you've written, asking how to obtain permission for Embrel, and given your dates of travel and still heard nothing?

 

GC

Yes and have received no responses.  I even e-mailed the Australian tourist bureau and got no response. :-( 

[BrissieB]

21 minutes ago, PandRBarry said:

Yes and have received no responses.  I even e-mailed the Australian tourist bureau and got no response. 😞 

Hi,

Did you try either of these email addresses?

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/general-inquiries

 (Department of Agriculture)

or

DCS@health.gov.au (drug control section of The Office of Drug Control).

[PandRBarry]

48 minutes ago, BrissieB said:

Hi,

Did you try either of these email addresses?

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/general-inquiries

 (Department of Agriculture)

or

DCS@health.gov.au (drug control section of The Office of Drug Control).

The second one I sent 3 e-mails and just sent one to the dept of Agriculture.

Thanks for sending though :-)

[PandRBarry]

Guess I'll bite the bullet and make what will probably be a very expensive phone call to Australia .  Thanks for the responses though.  I still hope someone on CC has had this situation and will respond at some point.

[GeezerCouple]

6 minutes ago, PandRBarry said:

Guess I'll bite the bullet and make what will probably be a very expensive phone call to Australia .  Thanks for the responses though.  I still hope someone on CC has had this situation and will respond at some point.

 

How about calling the nearest Embassy or Consulate first?

 

Good luck!
 

GC

[PandRBarry]

15 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

How about calling the nearest Embassy or Consulate first?

 

Good luck!
 

GC

Good idea!  Thanks. I will try that

[BrissieB]

9 hours ago, PandRBarry said:

The second one I sent 3 e-mails and just sent one to the dept of Agriculture.

Thanks for sending though 🙂

If you would like, I can try to make a couple of phone calls and see if I can get a better email before you ring here.

[PandRBarry]

9 hours ago, BrissieB said:

If you would like, I can try to make a couple of phone calls and see if I can get a better email before you ring here.

That would be amazing! There was no response again yesterday from 3 new emails I sent. Thank you so much!!!

Tricia

[PandRBarry]

PS the embassy referred me right back to the websites or to call Australia during business hours.

[BrissieB]

8 minutes ago, PandRBarry said:

That would be amazing! There was no response again yesterday from 3 new emails I sent. Thank you so much!!!

Tricia

It's currently 9pm so it will have to wait until tomorrow.  I'll do my best to track a useful email down for you.

 

[GeezerCouple]

1 hour ago, PandRBarry said:

PS the embassy referred me right back to the websites or to call Australia during business hours.

 

Now that is *really* helpful! 

 

GC

[PandRBarry]

2 hours ago, BrissieB said:

It's currently 9pm so it will have to wait until tomorrow.  I'll do my best to track a useful email down for you.

 

Thanks again for doing this. It is so kind of you. I'm thinking these e-mail addresses are not really monitored by employees. 

[PandRBarry]

48 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Now that is *really* helpful! 

 

GC

LOL

[PandRBarry]

2 hours ago, BrissieB said:

It's currently 9pm so it will have to wait until tomorrow.  I'll do my best to track a useful email down for you.

 

Thanks again for doing this. It is so kind of you. I'm thinking these e-mail addresses are not really monitored by employees. 

This is the email from the embassy that I used last night and once before to no response:

info@tga.gov.au  

 

[GeezerCouple]

1 hour ago, PandRBarry said:

Thanks again for doing this. It is so kind of you. I'm thinking these e-mail addresses are not really monitored by employees. 

This is the email from the embassy that I used last night and once before to no response:

info@tga.gov.au  

 

 

I found 

 

SAS@health.gov.au   on the website

 

(Special Access Scheme) contact info about other substances/etc.

 

There are also specific pdf forms to complete, depending upon what the treatment is, and those are supposed to be emailed.

 

https://www.tga.gov.au/form/special-access-scheme#contacts

 

Worth a try?

 

ETA:  this is also mentioned here:  https://www.tga.gov.au/entering-australia

 

RM

Edited September 25, 2019 by GeezerCouple

[PandRBarry]

11 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

I found 

 

SAS@health.gov.au   on the website

 

(Special Access Scheme) contact info about other substances/etc.

 

There are also specific pdf forms to complete, depending upon what the treatment is, and those are supposed to be emailed.

 

https://www.tga.gov.au/form/special-access-scheme#contacts

 

Worth a try?

 

ETA:  this is also mentioned here:  https://www.tga.gov.au/entering-australia

 

RM

Definitely worth a try!!!  Thanks so much again.  You people really go above and beyond!  One of the many reasons I love (most) cruisers!  :-)

[PandRBarry]

17 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

I found 

 

SAS@health.gov.au   on the website

 

(Special Access Scheme) contact info about other substances/etc.

 

There are also specific pdf forms to complete, depending upon what the treatment is, and those are supposed to be emailed.

 

https://www.tga.gov.au/form/special-access-scheme#contacts

 

Worth a try?

 

ETA:  this is also mentioned here:  https://www.tga.gov.au/entering-australia

 

RM

Ugh...Just did a search of my e-mails with that email address and I've already sent them two.  I just sent it again.  Maybe third time's the charm!  Thanks again.