My extremely dry eyes, due to Sjogrens Disease, have been giving me a lot of trouble of late. No matter how carefully I manage my set of eye drops to keep them moist and clear, inevitably they begin to blur within a few hours, especially when I’m writing at the computer. It is incredibly frustrating, and I have yet to find the right combination and timing, despite excellent support from my dry eye specialist.
Managing all those eye drop prescriptions is another challenge. However, I am pleased to report that I’ve succeeded in finding a good Canadian pharmacy for one of my drops, which I’ve only been able to get when I or family or friends travel to Europe. EvoTears create a barrier to reduce moisture evaporation. They cost about €25 abroad and are available over the counter. Here in the U.S., they are marketed as Miebo® and require a prescription. The latest price I got via an online pharmacy with an insurance “discount” was $225.
I’ve been wary of ordering from a Canadian pharmacy for several years, ever since another medication I need that is very expensive got impounded by U.S. Customs. That experience led me to discover Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs, a domestic supplier that is really excellent. But they don’t carry EvoTears.
So I did some more research recently, and I discovered Northwest Pharmacy in Canada. And I just received my EvoTears in only a few weeks. Total cost: $60 plus shipping. The return address on the box was a New Zealand pharmacy. Apparently they use distributers around the world. It had a customs label, so it was properly packaged and identifiable by U.S. authorities. No issues.
A friend is traveling to Germany this summer who will pick up some more bottles for me, so I’ll be covered for the year.
It’s ridiculous that we have to go to such lengths to get affordable medications so necessary to our health and well being. Thank goodness for the internet. For all its flaws and risks, it is a mighty tool for making worldwide connections and purchases possible.
Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.
Image: Shraga Kopstein
Oh Evelyn
My goodness EvoTears with an insurance “discount” was $USD225. So pleased that New Zealand via Canada was able to reduce your cost substantially.
Is this what you are writing about?
EvoTears and NovaTears are the exact same medication. They are both preservative-free, water-free eye drops primarily made of a novel, lipid-stabilizing ingredient called perfluorohexyloctane.
The only difference is the brand name and regional distribution rights:
• EvoTears is marketed and distributed by Ursapharm in Europe.
• NovaTears is marketed and distributed by AFT Pharmaceuticals in Australia and New Zealand.
I checked our local chemist and the cost over the counter Nova Tears + Omega-3 Lubricating Eye Drops 3ml $USD24.00 or Novatears Lubricating Eye Drops 3ml $USD18.00
Has the world gone mad?
I would dearly like to post you a bottle as a gift, you give us a gift every week of your thoughts and the realities of Scleroderma. It doesn’t seem like too much of a loss if it gets impounded by your officials.
With warmest wishes,
Heather
Thank you, Heather! That is so kind of you. I think I’m set for now, since a friend is going to Europe in a month and will pick up a supply for me. But if I get stuck, I may take you up on your offer!
It truly is insane. Bausch & Lomb bought the rights to market EvoTears here as Miebo, but apparently they applied for FDA approval as a prescription drug. Hence the high price. Ridiculous and infuriating, especially now with tariff restrictions that have cut off a bunch of suppliers to the US.