I have so far imported two supplies of 120 tabs of Naltrexone from River Pharmacy into Australia. I thought I had no problems in doing this but today I got a very large and threatening letter from Australian Customs and Border Control.

So before I pack my toothbrush and head off to the big house I think I'll share a little bit of information that I've managed to work out.

I got a real curious email from River that was caught up in a spam folder saying that as they thought something may have gone wrong with one of my orders they resent the order, gratis, free of charge. This didn't make any sense till today as I had paid for two orders and I had eventually (about a month delay) got two supplies - one ordered in Nov and received mid Jan and the other ordered early Feb and received lat Feb. So I think I now know the "missing" delivery has gone to Australian Customs and they have now decided to play their games with me.

(I have to say the customer service from River is amazing although I would say the second import that they sent for free without my knowledge could have caused me a hell of a lot of extra problems if it had been caught by Customs.)

The letter I got today detailed the seizure of the drugs - 120 Naltrexone tablets is prohibited unless permission to import has been granted - They have seized the goods as forfeited goods. They then give me the option of doing nothing or claiming the goods back. They threaten me that If I claim the goods back I will be taken to court and that in the likely event that they win and I lose they will claim considerable costs against me. If I don't claim the goods back they will destroy them and retain the undefended allegation that I have imported the drugs illegally should I ever do so again. If anyone has ever seen the border protection reality shows that one of our TV networks pretends is entertainment you will be aware of the thinly veiled racism that these customs people practice and the 10 page document that I received is set up to bully me into walking away (or doing things through associates).

But did they really pick the wrong person to try an bully. The only way to beat a bully is to stand up to them so while I have many easier ways to get my much needed and quite successful supply I'm going to take this on and hopefully others from Australia can benefit from my efforts. I'm a lawyer by trade so I'm happy to run this as a case but I suspect that Customs regs will be accurate if I cant source a permit and I'd lose - but then I might run the case and put my case in the court of Public opinion via a tabloid TV show and use this to show how screwed up our alcohol rehab industry and medicos are - Have to be willing to be named and shamed to do this but I have pretty thick skin.

Now Naltrexone is a prohibited import into Australia (Prohibited Imports and Exports (Drugs and Precursor Chemicals) - it is listed as requiring an import permit. There's a whole lot of fancy drugs and sterioids that athletes and other people can import - (I thought atheletes didnt use drugs - but thats another story) The personal use exemption does not apply to Nal - you have to apply for a permit.

The import permit must be applied via the Australian TGA I have requested to eds@tga.gov.au the following tonight quoting the prohibited classification:

" I wish to obtain an import permit from the TGA to import a three month supply for personal use of a drug under the classification of a "Preparations that purport to be a remedy for drunkenness, alcoholic habit or drug habit" The drug, Naltraxone,under the brand name Revia or generic form Nodict is one that I have previously been prescribed in Australia by a specialist doctor to assist in the reduction or elimination of an alcoholic habit. Could you please advise me of the procedure and appropriate forms or other paperwork necessary to pursue this application."

Now I'm not sure how this will be received but I thought I'd document my struggles with the bureaucrats. As a professional adviser I would recommend anyone getting this letter from customs to deny everything and do nothing - but I believe in small government and individual rights rather than unnecessary government control (and its still Super Tuesday in the US so I'll make my stand) If I get anywhere I'll put the info into this thread.

Take care

Swaggie

Isn't Naltrexone available on prescription in Oz?

Only if you can get a doctor to prescribe it, and then only to support remaining abstinent

I've been knocked back by three doctors so far and have been told to use will power.

If anyone know of an australian doctor willing to prescribe to support the sinclair method please let me know as my drinking is about half what it used to be after 2 months use and bad binge sessions are now rare.

Swaggie

Hi Swaggie:

FWIW I have a shiny new prescription for Nal, no strings, no questions.

The doc concerned tried to sell me on antabuse first. No way, I said. Then said there was something that could 'help with cravings'.

What I said, Nal he said, sign me up I said. I've been taking Nal for a week now with no side effects.

He finds it inconceivable that a GP wouldn't prescribe it. I have yet to test his hypothesis but am happy to do so with my GP.

I can't say too much more as I am still an inpatient (home by the weekend thank God), but would be happy to share my experience once I am back home.

Good luck with the lawsuit. Important stuff it is, that you do.

Swaggie,

Although I live in the U.S., I am glad to hear that you are going to take a run at the Australian Bureaucracy. I hope that you are successful and hopefully you share the outcome with the members of this community.

GIVE ‘EM HELL!!!

Diver

Like Swaggie I too have been able to successfully import two lots of Nal from River's Pharmacy to Australia, But when I ordered a third lot from All Day Chemist I received a seizure notice just like Swaggie did from Customs. As I don't have a license to import I guess I'll just have to do nothing like they suggest and lose my shipment. My problem is what do I do now? If I order again and customs seizes that shipment will I get fined or will I face criminal charges? I don't know what to do. I'm too embarrassed to go to a doctor and I'm not even sure I could get a script anyway, given what other Aussies have said........ and I've have been doing so well too. I'm down from a bottle plus per night of wine to just having two or three glasses on the weekend. I need my Nal. Can anyone give me any suggestions as what to do? My thanks in advance to anyone who can help. Oh by the way I live in Sydney SW.

Swaggie Hi!,
I've just read your post and was wondering how you went. I'm in Sydney and desperate to know of Doctors who
will support me through the Sinclair method.

I am editing this post.. call me paranoid but I dont think the doctor who prescribed me Naltrexone would take kindly to me sharing this publically and I dont wish to get him into any trouble.

If you are in Queensland and close to Nambour
then feel free to send me a private message and I will share with you the name of this doctor.


He prescribe me this but only after I begged, cried, made a fool out of myself, battled out with questions and stubbornly refused to leave his office until he either prescribed me this or got me into rehab that very afternoon

The usual doctor who is an "expert" in alcoholism and works at this same clinic completely advised him against it. I am so happy I saw the other doctor and not the so called expert at that clinic as his answer was obviously a no.

This wonderful doctor heard me out and listened to me. He wrote the prescription. For that I am so grateful and happy. He still has an open mind =)

Though I am feeling at a lose end now as he didnt give me any idea when to go back to see him... nor did he give me any recommendations on what to take for my vitamin b deficiency, granted though he was about to go on holiday and is only human.. Its up to me I guess to make the next appointment and ask such coherent questions.
I guess I still need to work to get him in on this. I think I would rather a professional knowing what I was doing than to try some pill over the internet that effects my brain...on my own.

I did hand him a 50 page printout from the Q&A area of the Sinclair Website. I hope he took the time to read it.

I also hope i dont get him into trouble by passing on his name. Gosh what a messed up world we live in when I have to worry about that.. Anyway reason i am passing it on is simply for others who need to find a doctor in australia that has prescribed it.. a doctor that isnt closed minded. Simply put ask him discreetly .. dont get him into trouble .. Hopefully he will see it work for me.. and then have more confidence in standing by it later.

Hi Swaggie, its a pretty old post and I hope you got the response from Australian Customs and Border Control about Naltrexone import! Will be highly appreciated if you share it!

Great news Australia! Naltrexone is no longer on the 'List of prohibited substances'. You can now import naltrexone without needing an Import Permit.
Of course you still need a local doctors prescription, but Customs don't have the recourses to enforce that rule. I've imported loads of prescription only medication which was not on the list. Customs have opened some of the packages and they just let it through with a flyer saying they didn't find anything interesting.

Personal Importation Scheme

List of Prohibited Substances (See if you can find naltrexone)

Best of luck Australia.