Job Discussion Forums

Fina1 · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 22 Location: Philadelphia, PA

I have read that I can bring 2 months supply of prescription medication with me when traveling to Japan, but what happens when those 2 months run out?

Can I have my doctor in the states send medicine overseas?

If I am importing the medicine, insurance wouldn't cover it, would it?

Will I need to find a doctor in Japan to write me a new prescription and obtain the medicine in Japan?

Will I have any problem bringing 2 bottles of aspirin (OTC) with me when traveling? I've heard it's very expensive to buy in Japan.

How simple is it to obtain the same prescription medicine you were receiving in the states in Japan?

Any other insight into getting prescription medicine while in Japan?

I have already asked my doctor these questions and he said that he could probably ship it over monthly, but he will have to double check. I would rather get the medicine in Japan to avoid the shipping, waiting, problems with Japanese insurance/making sure it's covered, and any problems with customs (I read someone's heart medication was seized in Taiwan or Thailand or something once and the guy had to jump through hoops to prove it was legit).

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Aspirin is more expensive here than back home. If you want a couple of bottles, pack them.

As for prescription meds, unless your doctor is willing to continue sending them to you here (and if they are legal to be sent that way), then you'll just have to set yourself up with a doctor like everyone else in Japan, and get prescriptions made here. The good news is that prescriptions and treatment overall is covered 70% by national health insurance.

Getting the "same prescription medicine" may not be possible, as Japan doesn't have foreign medicines. Generic is still available, but Japanese generic. Also, dosage is often lower here, so be sure of what you are getting.

bre_anna · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:05 am Post subject:

I take medication as well and I've been looking into this since I am currently looking of ran ESL job. From what I've found is that it is easier to get a year supply while at home and bring it with you. Because you can only legally bring 2 months into Japan you have to get it approved.

My medication (eltroxin for my thyroid) isn't expensive, but it would still be cheaper for me to get it here (I get 90% coverage through my health plan), and I wouldn't want to risk getting a generic brand.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

bre_anna · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject:

mc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Aichi, Japan

The last time I was on a prescription med, I explained to my doctor in the States about my situation (living overseas) and asked for larger quantities from the outset (e.g. a script for 2 months worth instead of 1) and enough refill scripts to last for a year. I then brought the initial bottles in with me, and had a family member back home refill the prescriptions and send me the meds as needed. Obviously I wasn't dealing with a narcotic, so my doc had no problem agreeing to this system. Might be something worth trying depending on what you're taking.

Amarok · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject:

Has anyone had problems finding doctors in Japan to continue their medical treatment? I'm really worried about finding a doctor to continue my prescription in Japan because I've heard that they rarely prescribe HRT, but I seriously need to continue it to keep everything stable. And it's not something I can have mailed to me since it requires a yakkan shoumei form for any amount. Sad

G Cthulhu · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject:

Fina1 · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 22 Location: Philadelphia, PA

I'm glad you mentioned the yakkan shoumei because I hadn't heard about that form before and didn't realize I would have problems bringing in medicine which needs to be injected.

One of my medicines that I receive here is a 6 month supply injection and my doctor doesn't want to switch me to the oral medicine (and I don't want to switch either).

It also isn't something I can live without. I suppose I'll have to fill out one of these forms then?

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

Can someone advise me on how this works with the contraceptive pill? I'd heard it was harder to come by in Japan (confirm or deny?) and so my GF was going to get a years worth before leaving England. If she does this, can she only legally take 2 months worth in?

How accessible is contraception in Japan?

Thanks.

seklarwia · Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:46 pm Post subject:

G Cthulhu · Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject:

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Bringing in contraception is absolutely no problem. I have been bringing it in for a decade now, up to a year's supply at a time, no issues whatsoever. I have also had my family send 3 month's supply at a time from NZ, again no problems. The brand I use I can also get prescribed by an expat doctor here in Tokyo and I sometimes do, but it is so expensive that it is almost cheaper for me to fly back to NZ once a year where I can get it for free!

The pill is not a restricted medicine like some of those mentioned above, so the same rules don't apply.

Incidentally it is not hard to get the pill prescribed here at all, it's just that it's not popular, and if a particular brand is needed then it's better to have it prescribed at home and sent over.

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

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Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I have heard that the limit for posting prescription medicines is 3 months' worth, but I can't swear to it, and you are right that packages from online pharmacies could come under more scrutiny than something sent by my mum! If we are talking about the contraceptive pill, my feeling is that they are not going to be super-strict, though.