Need help to get my medication via international courier

[martinh0]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 25 y/o male who arrived two weeks ago to the US. I'm from Spain, I'm doing an internship in the valley. The thing is that I bring enough medication (Rebif 44) for two months, and my plan was to received via international courier every month my meds. I few days ago I find out that I need a statement from an american doctor saying that I really needs the medication. I tried to contact at least 5 different neurologist and try to explain that I'm a student (J-1 VISA), and that I have a student insurance that covers me from accidents, sickness and that all I need is a statement for the courier.

I was rejected by some of them and others told me that here the procedure is different, like implying that I'm gone need to do some test which will prove that I suffer from MS and need those meds. I'm confuse, I though that with the statement from my spanish neurologist would suffice. Maybe a general doctor could certify looking at my documents that I need the meds. I don't know what should I do. Any help would be appreciate.

Best,
Martin.

[MarkLavelle]

I would contact the human resources people at the company you are working for. They should at least know where to start...

[martinh0]

Thank you for your reply Mark. I did contact some people and nobody knew anything. I'll try what you say and I'll speak to HR, but everything related to HR it's a completely mess

[MSer102]

Hi Martin. You might also try contacting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to see if someone there can direct you to a doctor who might be able to help. Their national website here in the US is www.nmss.org. You can call the national office or look up the local chapter office nearest to where you are.

One of the concerns that people who get their injectible medication shipped to them have is temperature control. Have you made arrangements with the courier to be sure that your Rebif is shipped in cold packaging?

[onlyairfare]

Although MS medications are usually prescribed by neurologists, any US physician who is licensed can prescribe them. Since most neurology specialists are booked months in advance, it would probably be quicker and easier to see a family doctor or possibly even a walk-in clinic doctor who could write the note for you.

You might even be able to find someone who speaks/reads Spanish and could interpret your home doctor's letter if need be.

[martinh0]

That's a good idea Mser102. I'll try to contact NMSS, I hope they can help me with this.

Fedex have some services for temperature control, but I have not looked other couriers to be honest...

Thank you onlyairfare for the info, I didn't know that any US doctor could prescribed this meds. I'll try to find a hipano family doctor then. :-)

[KatieAgain]

Call the Spanish Embassy here in the US. There are several of them in the Country. You can Google them. If they are anything like the US Embassies in other countries, they will assign a person to help and assist you in finding the right doctor.

Another option is if you are assigned to a University, you should have an International Student Office and a University Hospital that should be able to provide the documentation required.

[martinh0]

Another good option Katie. I'll try to use this options and update with results. Thank you all.