Job Discussion Forums

mudbone357 · Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 5 Location: NYC

Hi all,
I'm a recent CELTA grad applying for positions in and around the Moscow area. I'm hoping to be there in January, so I'm making all of my final preparations now, and I take a couple of prescription medications regularly but haven't been able to find out much about the system over there as far as availability of medication, pricing, insurance, and need for a local prescribing doctor. I'm hoping to be working for BKC, and although they do offer medical insurance, I kind of assumed that it wouldn't cover prescriptions since they describe it as "emergency" medical insurance. The medications I take are anti-seizure, nothing illicit or anything, but they're very necessary so I'm getting a little anxious about finding out what the story is. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.

expatella_girl · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:22 am Post subject:

I can't answer your question precisely, it would be necessary to know exactly what you're taking.

Most meds that are prescription in the US are over the counter here, and usually at a fraction of the price they cost in America. So far the only meds I've seen that required an actual doctors prescription are narcotics and some antibiotics. Most common meds are available here. Everything that we used in the US we've easily found here.

Slim Jim · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 24 Location: United Kingdom

I don't wish to offend by stating the obvious but be very cautious about bringing a bulk supply of medication into Russia. There have been instances at Russian customs where visitors with prescription drugs were taken into a back office and given the third degree as suspected drug runners. There are western-style medical clinics in Moscow which are safe and clean but over-priced, fantastically so. However, for general medical problems you can visit a Russian polyclinic, have a quiet word with an on-duty nurse, state that you will pay to be seen and a doctor will be along shortly. No queues or long nervous waits. Doctors will also prescribe any medication you need and there are numerous pharmacies in the city (even in the subways outside metro station entrances). I've heard a lot of slating of the Russian health system but I've always used it and found the medical staff to be meticulous and professional. They even refused payment after I needed an X-ray and treatment following a minor breakage of bones in Sochi!

mudbone357 · Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 5 Location: NYC

Thanks for the responses guys.
Expatella, I'm not sure if you'd be familiar with them, but the meds that I take are Topamax and Pamalor, respectively. As long as they are available in pharmacies and I won't need to jump through a lot of hoops to get them, then that puts me at least a little more at ease. I guess I'll plan on bringing enough for the first couple of months just for peace of mind. Incidentally, when you say that most meds are a fraction of the cost of what you paid in the States, can you give me an idea of what that fraction is, roughly? My Topamax is about $200 a month (before my insurance, thank God, although he/she certainly doesn't seem to live in America anymore), can you give an approximation of what you would expect a comparable medication to cost in Moscow?
Thanks a lot for the help, I really appreciate it.

expatella_girl · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:05 pm Post subject:

Well I can sort of give you an example. Birth control pills cost about $50 a month in the US. They're about 10 bucks here. That looks like 20% of the US cost and I'd say that's just about average across the board here.

Do bring a couple of months worth of meds with you so that you can get by while you figure out what the Russian word or equivalents are for your meds here. Several of the 'western' clinics in Moscow have pharmacies that will help you translate you meds into Russian.

After living here for a while though, you really do see what a killing the pharmaceutical companies are making in America. Kinda lessens your respect for patent and intellectual property laws when you see how ripped off you've beeen in America.

P.S. It get even better.....Cd's, DVD's and MP3's cost about 3 bucks here! Corporate America, eat my shorts.

chechevitsa · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 22

$50/month? no wonder young women without jobs aren't looking after their reproductive systems...
here in canada, I think the pharmacy price runs to about $20-30 for a month's supply, and that's still significantly more than the price at non-profit clinics. sounds like Russia is even more in the right direction.

Sheri C. · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:05 pm Post subject:

Not to steal your thunder, but I have just moved to Moscow and am rather annoyed with the doctors. Does anybody have any info about what sort of medications are available over the counter. I have prescriptions for these at home, but know that they are often available OTC outside of the united states. Does anybody know about how I could replenish my supplies of Valium, Xanax, Percocet, Oxycoton, Darvaset, Vicodin and Valtrex? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am desperately tense.

Pollux · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 224 Location: PL

Have you thought of asking for advice at the American consulate. They should be of some help. You will have to trust some doctor sooner or latter, but I doubt any doctor will prescribe that combo.

julian · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1

Sheri C. considering all that rubbish your taking it sounds like your angry at the whole world - not just the doctors in moscow. perhaps you should have a nice cup of camomile tea and move to somewhere quiet.

MrBrightonside · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 5

So would I be right in saying that pretty much everything can be bought OTC in Russia, if you know what you need you can just go somewhere and get it you don't have to jump through hoops? I have to take Lamisal tablets sometimes. don't know what they called in Russia generic name is Terbinafine i think, anyone know if they are OTC in Russia or easy to get from a Doctor?

Cheers guys

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

I would go to the American Medical Center website and shoot them a short note asking for the translated names of the meds you use. The one in Kyiv has the same name but is separate from the others. They have a little Ask-A-Doctor email system in place.

Can also ask the one in Kyiv - they answer in Russian.

www.amcenters.com

I have found them to be practical and much more relaxed (yet competent) in their response to questions. They understand you just want to know and don't get all in an uproar about you asking questions about treatments and conditions.

zeke0606 · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject: what?

Hi all --

I do not live in Moscow and hope I never will, however I do live in the middle of Russia. I have never had any trouble getting any medication that I needed - ever. And all of it OTC! Nor have I ever had any problem seeing a doctor or specialist at any polyclinic or hospital - free or for a small fee.

expatella_girl -- you are very correct about the rip-off and price gouging of American drug companies!

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

I do know one exception to this. A friend's mum over in Russia was advised by her hospital that she needed a particular German drug if she wanted to avoid an operation. Couldn't get it in Russia; couldn't get it in England either. So in the end, it was bought by a mum of another friend in Germany, sister of said friend took it to England on her next trip, then sent by express courier via a relative of mine in England to Moscow to another friend, then collected by sister of Russian friend from Moscow to take to the provincial town where the patient is. Phew....

zeke0606 · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:43 am Post subject: what?

coledavis

And your point is.................

All the posts are the same, positive - but yours? And you are in England and have only spent a week or so in Russia a few times.

I don't mean to be critical or not believe you, but....... This story of yours sounds like a story told 27 times around the room and you are reporting it as fact. Remember that game of telling something and passing it on and the last one tells everyone and you see how much it has changed from the original from Psych 101?

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

The point is simple: no, not all prescription drugs appear to be available in Russia. Do people have to be 'positive' or otherwise? I see nothing wrong with facts. And, given that the people who can't get the drugs live in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia (like, all their lives) - I thought that would be obvious from the ring of Russians involved in this - quite what does my personal experience have to do with it?

Incidentally, I don't think that taking something I told you about myself in private and using it publicly is all that 'positive' either. Argue with what are presented as facts, by all means, but try to avoid criticising people unnecessarily. Please.