Hydrocodone

[mr_colt]

Hi,

Has anyone had any experience with the ethical import of hydrocodone or preparations containing it (Vicodin?) Either on private prescription or NHS for named patients? Has anyone had experience of this being done outside a hospital setting eg prescribed by a GP?

Many Thanks,

mr_colt.

[johnep]

Re: Hydrocodone

A home office licence is required. Given only to bona fide importers such as perhaps Idis or Durbin.
johnep

[happy_bunny]

Re: Hydrocodone

I remember looking up vicodin in the BNF when House first started (sad I know lol) and thinking we must just not have it in the UK for some reason...so would be be able to get it and dispense it given that we have no guidance on its use, dosages etc? Or would we just get that info from the manufacturer?
Sorry for hi-jacking your thread but there doesn't seem to be much info on what to do if you want to dispense medicines only licensed abroad, esp CDs.

[johnep]

Re: Hydrocodone

Named pt supply, obtained from specialist importers named above.
johnep

[mr_colt]

Re: Hydrocodone

I remember looking up vicodin in the BNF when House first started (sad I know lol) and thinking we must just not have it in the UK for some reason...so would be be able to get it and dispense it given that we have no guidance on its use, dosages etc? Or would we just get that info from the manufacturer?
Sorry for hi-jacking your thread but there doesn't seem to be much info on what to do if you want to dispense medicines only licensed abroad, esp CDs.

I think it's more to do with until recently the opioid trend has been very codeine/morphine/diamorphine centric. Saying that, we have Hydromorphone available here. Hydrocodone is a pro-drug that is metabolised into hydromorphone if memory serves. I would have thought dosages and contraindications etc could easily by pulled out of Martindale's or the AHFS.

What are the requirements for the GP writing the script? Does he/she have to apply for a home office licence personally or is that to do with the importer side of things? Is there any special variant of the prescriber's form that has to be used for a private prescription of an unlicensed controlled drug?

Many Thanks,

mr_colt.