Follow-up: State-level differences that actually matter posts 61–90
This is a continuation of a long topic, addressed by post number rather than by page. Start at post 1.
This follows post #59 rather than contradicting it.
Telehealth prescribing: widespread in the US and varying in quality. Models without a clinician reviewing measurements and history are not recommended by this community.
Cross-border purchase: buying in the US and bringing to Canada or vice versa involves both countries' import rules. The medication is legal but crossing borders with it is regulated.
For anyone arriving from a search: the marked solution above is the direct answer, and the replies underneath it add the caveats that make it safe to use.
Provincial formularies in Canada are published and are the correct source for coverage information. Coverage for weight management is less common than for diabetes.
Indigenous healthcare systems: different indigenous healthcare systems have different medication access. Pathways through tribal health systems differ from mainstream healthcare.
On post #63 — agreed on the reasoning, with one qualification.
Two things before anyone answers the substance.
First, the context in the first post is clear and specific. Second, the question is framed so that an answer can actually address it. Both are the norm here and both matter more than they sound.
I read post #67 twice before replying, because I had assumed the opposite.
Compounding pharmacies: pharmaceutical compounding of a drug not on the FDA shortage list is substantially constrained. The landscape changed when supply normalised. Current compounding availability is limited.
Coming back to post #72, because the follow-up matters more than the original answer.
Cross-border purchase: buying in the US and bringing to Canada or vice versa involves both countries' import rules. The medication is legal but crossing borders with it is regulated.
Collapsed as off-topic by two members at trust level 3 or above
post #74 is right about the mechanism and I think understates the practical bit.
Regional variation in North America: access differs substantially by US state and Canadian province. Postcode is a major determinant of access.
Worth separating two things that post #72 runs together.
Two things before anyone answers the substance.
First, the context in the first post is clear and specific. Second, the question is framed so that an answer can actually address it. Both are the norm here and both matter more than they sound.
United States: FDA licenses compounds. Prescribing and pharmacy practice are state-regulated. Compounds are prescription-only. Coverage is decided by individual plans, not nationally.
Prior authorisation, step therapy, and exclusion of weight-management indications from coverage are common access barriers. The denial letter tells you which barrier you are facing.
On post #76 — agreed on the reasoning, with one qualification.
Compounding pharmacies: pharmaceutical compounding of a drug not on the FDA shortage list is substantially constrained. The landscape changed when supply normalised. Current compounding availability is limited.
Collapsed as off-topic by two members at trust level 3 or above
On post #77 — agreed on the reasoning, with one qualification.
Private insurance gaps: some people have private insurance but medication is not covered. Manufacturer assistance programmes are the main resource for cost reduction.
Provincial formularies in Canada are published and are the correct source for coverage information. Coverage for weight management is less common than for diabetes.
Canada: Health Canada licenses compounds. Prescribing is provincial. Compounds are prescription-only. Coverage varies between public and private insurance.
post #85 is right about the mechanism and I think understates the practical bit.
Thank you for the correction. I have edited my earlier post with a note rather than silently, so the thread still makes sense to read. The error was mine and it was the kind that comes from remembering a figure instead of looking it up.
Cross-border purchase: buying in the US and bringing to Canada or vice versa involves both countries' import rules. The medication is legal but crossing borders with it is regulated.
United States: FDA licenses compounds. Prescribing and pharmacy practice are state-regulated. Compounds are prescription-only. Coverage is decided by individual plans, not nationally.