Job Discussion Forums

jezebel · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 53

What do you do about medications if you plan to teach abroad for a year? Do you (can you?) stockpile them in advance before you go? Do you have to buy them abroad (and thus do you need a local doctor who can write the prescription?) What if you can't get your prescription in the country you will be living in? Do you have to pay full price for drugs or do the teacher health plans offer drug compensation? (my guess would be no..)

tedkarma · Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 3:53 am Post subject:

Try to localize any kind of medicine that you use. It is usually much cheaper (at least in Asia and the Middle East) here than in your home country.

But, anything critical to your health - bring a supply to last you until you return home - then look for it in your new location. But, in reality, there are very few things you can't find in other countries.

Though I have said all that - I have a couple things that I have to bring with me - that I can get in Thailand but can't get (doesn't exist!) in Korea.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

It all depends where you go and what you need. You'll find in many countries that you don't need a prescription for anything - you just go into the pharmacy and buy it. On the other hand, many countries ban medcines that are taken for granted elsewhere - cough medicines with codeine, for example.

I'd advise against taking large quantities with you - it could well get you into difficulties with the customs and immigration when you arrive. Unless you have some very specific requirements, you'll find you can get what you need or a substitute pretty well anywhere. As for insurance paying for it, again it all depends where you are and what the insurance system is but most companies will pay for prescription medicines though they may impose a limit.

I hope that helps a bit, but you really need to know where you're going before you can get more specific advice.

jezebel · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 53

good to hear.. i guess it prob depends on what you take, too. I could see how something like sleeping pills or insulin or somehting common might be easier/cheaper to find.. whereas some areas are rapidly evolving and new drugs come out pretty often - so stuff available in some countries takes a few years to come out in others.. if at all. it's worth looking into, anyway.

jasperella · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Czech Republic

http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/

If the local brands don't suit, or you don't have enough from home to last you.
Hope that helps!

hesterprynne · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 386

I don't know about other countries. But I do know that in south China, unless you are in Hong Kong or close enough to it to go shopping there, the insulin and antibiotics you get will not be as safe as what you get at home. Antibiotics may contain other ingredients, such as steroids. Insulin will surely not be stored at the proper temperature.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

There was a story recently in the news about a British woman who went to UAE. She took a drug with her which is legal in the Uk but illegal in UAE. She ended up in prison in Dubai. Sorry I cant remember what the drug was.

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

Contact your local health centre to see if they have a travel clinic. They can give invaluable advice about vaccinations and any restrictions on the importation of medicines.
Failing that, look for the consular website of the country you're planning to work in. As younggeorge said, it all depends on where you go.

tedkarma · Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 9:57 pm Post subject:

I've lived in five countries since 1989 - including five years in Saudi Arabia (you can't get much more strict - EVERY bag is searched) - and never had a problem hauling my personal medications around. Just get a letter from your doctor - doesn't even need to be the Rx (they many not understand an Rx anyway). Have the letter say you need to take such and such to maintain good health. No problem.

The only excitement I ever had was when a customs agent thought that some bottled medicine I had might be undeclared alcohol - exceeding the limit. She was obviously disappointed when it was ONLY medicine!

Don't worry about the scare stories - customs people only want to know that you are sincere and making an effort to conform. A letter from your doctor says that.