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Country Expert Jim Santos
ParticipantCharles, there are several places in the Salinas area that can do this, so I’m sure in the much larger city of Cuenca it would not be a problem.
-jim
ParticipantCharles, here’s the info you requested, from the email:
Yes in Fybeca the Price for Humira is USD$1.319,70, it is the best price that you can find in any distribution point even our company, due to we cannot sell the product directly to the consumer.
It could be necessary that you ask for the product with 24 o 48 hours previously, due to they do not have the product in all of their drug stores, just in several, but if you ask for it, they can transport to the point that you need.
Best Regards,
Martha Lazcano
Jefe de Linea Hospitalaria
Hospira – AbbvieParticipantCharles,
Just to update you, I just got another email from Abbott Labs saying you CAN purchase Humira in Fybeca stores ( a common pharmacy chain here). I’m waiting now to hear how much per dose.
-jim
ParticipantThe most common option is to have them “muled” in – either bring them back yourself after visiting the US, or have them delivered to someone in the States who is planning to visit Ecuador. You can also use mail or via a courier like DHL or FedEx, however mail takes 4-8 weeks and is hard to track, and the courier services are expensive.
ParticipantMr. Monroe, I just received the following reply to your inquiry:
Dear Mr. Santos:
This is Martha Lazcano from Quifatex Ecuador, according to your e-mail, I would like to tell you that Quifatex is the authorized distributor of Abbvie products, and in our products portfolio we are commercialized Adalimumab, if you need this product, it will be a pleasure to serve you, please contact us.
Best Regards,
Martha Lazcano
Jefe de Linea Hospitalaria
Hospira – Abbvie
Av. Galo Plaza Lasso 10640 y Manuel Zambrano. Quito – Ecuador
Martha.Lazcano@quifatex.com
Teléfono: (593-2) 396 1900 Ext. 2129
Celular: (593) 998 234 186
http://www.quifatex.comParticipantI found that a company called Abbott Labaratorios del Ecuador was distributing Humira as late as 2014, but I could not find anything more recent. I’ve emailed the company and will let you know if they reply.
-jim
ParticipantHi Ray,
Of course I cannot recommend any particular insurance carrier over another, as everyone’s needs are different, but I can confirm that Salud is one of the largest insurance carriers in South America. I would suggest contacting an Ecuadorian insurance agent directly for your questions. You can find a list in our rolodex at:
ParticipantHi Charles,
In the 3 1/2 years we’ve lived in Ecuador, we have had people mail us letters from the US. Usually they take from 3-6 weeks to reach us, although we are currently waiting for some mail that was sent over 6 weeks ago. As for packages, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others do make deliveries, but there are two issues: 1)they are expensive 2)packages must be checked for contents, and may have import fees added.
For these reasons, Amazon and some other online resources just do not offer shipping to Ecuador. It is possible to get things shipped here, and there are some private groups that bring things in for expats, but in general it is an expensive option. If we really need to order something from the states, we usually ship it to family there, and then either “mule” it in with us on our next visit, or get traveling friends to bring it to us.
Shipping within Ecuador however is relatively cheap and easy. Servientrega is the equivalent of UPS locally, and is very efficient.
ParticipantHi Charles – There’s a variety of options here, just depends on your needs and concerns. Some expats simply withdraw money from local ATMs using their US debit or credit cards. If you want to go that route, make sure you check with your US company to see if they charge fees for international use. Banco Pichincha in Ecuador does not charge a local fee for withdraws on US cards.
Checks are generally not used to pay for things here, although we do pay our HOA fees with a US check each month. Even if you have a local checking account, they are very strict on the way the check is written, and even small handwriting discrepancies. We have two local savings accounts, and use the debit cards at the mall or major grocery chain – most places, like the mercados, taxis and small restaurants (even some hotels) are cash only.
We add money to our local accounts by depositing US checks. It takes 7-10 days to clear, but there are no fees involved. We chose to have local accounts for the debit cards, and for the ease of paying utility bills online. We have not had any banking problems or safety concerns with either Pichincha or JEP, a privately run Cooperativa. Both banks charge small fees (between 35-60 cents) for making payments, or withdrawing local cash at the ATM – however, they also pay us 4.5% and 6% interest, respectively.
Hope that helps, feel free to ask follow-ups here, or to contact me at salinas@internationalliving.com .
-jim
ParticipantHi Robert – My wife likes a brand called “El Gato Negro”, found in most grocery stores for $11-12 per bottle.
ParticipantHi Gretchen – sorry for the delay, but I’ve been traveling around Ecuador for the past few weeks, and haven’t had a chance to check in here. Although there are crafts-persons all over Ecuador, your friend will probably have the best luck buying direct from the artist in Cuenca and Loja. Both towns have indigenous markets where they should be able to find a good selection. You can also find these in Guayaquil, but mostly it would be shops where they have brought in merchandise from the Andes for re-sale.
ParticipantHere are four that other expats have found helpful. Be sure to negotiate rates and itineraries in advance. Keep in mind it is customary in Ecuador to pay for the driver’s meals as well.
Victor Colorado: Speaks good English and some Spanish Has a car with plenty of room for baggage
viktortch@yahoo.comRicardo Tamayo: Speaks fluent English and Spanish
rick_tamayo@hotmail.comAlla Marks, has local drivers all over the area:
viaje4u@gmail.comAngela de Souza, contact on Facebook at http://facebook.com/angelaferreiradesouza
ParticipantHi Ray – one other resource for you here. If you decide to use the bus system, here’s a link to the Guayaquil Terminal Terreste. You can get times and rates for buses to Salinas, Cuenca and others. Let me know if you want the contact info for some coastal area drivers.
ParticipantHi Steve. Rather than speak in generalities, since some are cheaper and some more expensive, here’s a link you may find helpful. It is for Fybeca, a local pharmacy chain. There is a search box up top, where you can search for the drugs in questions. IF they are available here, you will also get pricing.
https://www.fybeca.com/FybecaWeb/pages/home.jsf
It is in Spanish, but your browser probably provides translation. May not be necessary, it is pretty straight-forward. Remember you may need to use the generic drug name, rather than the brand name. Although I did, for example, just find Nexium 20MG listed, box of 14 tablets for $18.62 ($1.24 ea).
Hope that helps!
-jim
ParticipantHi Gretchen –
That is a tricky issue. As you know, the laws are constantly changing. I think the best advice I can give you is to talk to an Ecuadorian Attorney to get up-to-date information. There are several listed in our Rolodex page to get you started: https://members.internationalliving.com/country_clubs/ecuador/rolodex/
.. or of course, ask other expats who they may have used.Frankly, we are still back-and-forth ourselves on whether or not to get one. Keep in mind only property and assets (bank accounts, for example) in Ecuador will be affected by Ecuadorian law. US assets will be distributed according to US law.
And by the way – I saw in a different post you brought some guitars into Ecuador – let me know if you are in the Salinas area and want to jam! I brought 6 bass guitars, one acoustic guitar, two electric, a Chapman Bass Stick, 4 ukuleles, an electric piano, digital recording equipment, and other assorted odds and ends.
-jim
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