Requesting Feedback from the Blog's Doctors/Physicians ....

[TheGreenThumb]

Hello,

I would like to reach out to the doctors / physicians in this blog. 

I just learned a couple of days ago that the domestic helper (Bel) who works for my brother has a 20-year old daughter w/diabetes (since childhood). Doctors think that she recently suffered a stroke. She constantly has headaches and is also experiencing a debilitating progressive paralysis of her left arm and side which has rendered her unable to walk on her own.

Bel's family is dirt poor and they can hardly afford to pay for the weekly diabetes medicines that their daughter needs. Now, they have to divert their meager resources to address this more immediate medical need and can no longer afford to buy the medicines required to control their daughter's diabetes. Our family is helping out but can only do so in a limited fashion and for the short-term. We are paying for the CT scan, contributing to the short-term medicine needs, and if needed, also plan to assist with the hospitalization and operation expenses.

So .... I would like to inquire whether doctors are allowed to give out samples of medicines to people who are not their patients. If so, I was wondering if any of you can donate samples of diabetes medication.  Also, if we do get the medicines, I would like to know whether or not we are allowed by law to transport them via air travel from the US to the Philippines.  If not, I would also like to inquire if any of you are associated with the "Doctors without Borders" program and know of a colleague who would be visiting Manils this year under the said program and who would be able to assist.

Here's what broke my heart and made me post this topic. I also learned that Bel's family went through the same diabetes-related medical crisis with her oldest daughter less than 5 years ago.  Because Bel's family did not have the resources nor a support system to help them back then, her eldest daughter passed away from the same disease.  I just want to help so I thought about requesting for donations for diabetes medication. My sister plans to visit Manila in November ... and I can request her to take the samples home with her.

So, if anyone can provide feedback re: my inquiries, it would truly be appreciated. 

Thank you in advance.

[nickagneta]

I'm no doctor or lawyer but my guess is what you are asking might be illegal.

And if it is not illegal, I do not see any American doctor sending out medications to a patient without knowing their entire medical history so as not to be liable in a malpractice suit.

And as much as I think you might have the best of intentions here, this kind of sounds like an internet fraud story to get expensive medications to sell in third world countries for profit. I'm not saying you are doing this, it just sort of seems like one of those stories that would be used in such a grift.

[PaulPierce34G]

This is probably something you'd want to discuss face to face with your primary care physician, even if it is just a matter of something to gain information on.  Anybody could post a response to this thread claiming to be an MD, DO, RN or Nurse Practitioner and give false/inaccurate information.  Talk to your local medical facility, usually they have programs for low income individuals with various medical problems.  There may be something your domestic helper can help get her daughter signed up for.  Also, look into research studies pertaining to diabetes that some medical universities/hospitals in your area might be running.  Your friend's daughter might be eligible to be recruited and participate in the study.  Usually these studies deal with efficacy of new or differing methods of treatment, whether it be meds or physical lifestyle things for medical conditions.

Not many, if any, medical professionals will give advice like this over the internet without formal documentation and all that jazz.  Just too many lawsuits and malpractice cases in the world today.

[celticdog]

Have they investigated Mass Health? 
Mass Health pulled my fat from the fire when I was in serious financial difficulty.

[nickagneta]

This is probably something you'd want to discuss face to face with your primary care physician, even if it is just a matter of something to gain information on.  Anybody could post a response to this thread claiming to be an MD, DO, RN or Nurse Practitioner and give false/inaccurate information.  Talk to your local medical facility, usually they have programs for low income individuals with various medical problems.  There may be something your domestic helper can sign up for.  Also, look into research studies pertaining to diabetes that some medical universities/hospitals in your area might be running.  Your friend might be eligible to be recruited and participate in the study.  Usually these studies deal with efficacy of new or differing methods of treatment, whether it be meds or physical lifestyle things for medical conditions.

Not many, if any, medical professionals will give advice like this over the internet without formal documentation and all that jazz.  Just too many lawsuits and malpractice cases in the world today.

The patient appears to be in Manilla, in the Philippines, not in America. No local medical facility is going to provide low cost medical assistance to a patient overseas.

[PaulPierce34G]

This is probably something you'd want to discuss face to face with your primary care physician, even if it is just a matter of something to gain information on.  Anybody could post a response to this thread claiming to be an MD, DO, RN or Nurse Practitioner and give false/inaccurate information.  Talk to your local medical facility, usually they have programs for low income individuals with various medical problems.  There may be something your domestic helper can sign up for.  Also, look into research studies pertaining to diabetes that some medical universities/hospitals in your area might be running.  Your friend might be eligible to be recruited and participate in the study.  Usually these studies deal with efficacy of new or differing methods of treatment, whether it be meds or physical lifestyle things for medical conditions.

Not many, if any, medical professionals will give advice like this over the internet without formal documentation and all that jazz.  Just too many lawsuits and malpractice cases in the world today.

The patient appears to be in Manilla, in the Philippines, not in America. No local medical facility is going to provide low cost medical assistance to a patient overseas.

True story.  I was caught up in the whole trying to obtain info, getting possible methods for obtaining meds.  Well if that's the case, it will probably be extremely difficult for this individual to receive adequate medical treatment, medication.  There might be some programs out in Manila where American physicians are donating their time to assist patients and provide free or low cost medical coverage.  A friend of mine is a physician out in Texas, but I remember he was out in Botswana some years back practicing and helping those less fortunate, providing medical treatment.  Again, the OP should talk to his/her PCP and obtain information.  That will probably be the best course of action.  They may know of some sort of international program, even if sponsored by WHO or some sort of established medical organization, which can help the OP's friend's daughter.  There's always studies and programs running overseas with medical professionals vesting their time and efforts, whether it be for research or just doing something out of the goodness of their heart.

[csfansince60s]

Contact the pharmaceutical companies directly.

Some have programs in place (it's great PR for them)to help individuals who can't afford certain medications.

Given the worldwide reach of many of these companies, I'm sure that they would know how to deal with the transport of medications across borders.

Good
luck.

[TheGreenThumb]

To all who have responded, thank you for your feedback. All points understood and well taken. 

Unfortunately, this situation is such a common reality in developing countries such as the Philippines where so many people live below the poverty line.

I believe that I got the answers to my inquiries, and will heed the advice/suggestions made.

Appreciate it!