"Dr. Fein: As a college student without insurance benefits I decided to order a much-needed expensive prescription drug (Imitrex 50mg) from the internet. I thought I was ordering from a Canadian company but when the drug arrived, I saw it was shipped from India. I had cause to try it last week when I awoke to an excruciating migraine. Over several hours I took 3 tablets receiving no relief whatsoever. Is there someplace I can send these pills to for a scientific evaluation? I feel for certain I was taken for fraud and certainly will not risk taking any more of these for fear of what it actually in the tablet's chemical makeup. I would however like to report them if they are fraudulent. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you."
I advised him to:
1) Report the incident to the FDA at the following webpage:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm
2) Check if he qualifies for a patient assistance program:
http://www.pparx.org
A troubling cautionary tale...
