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rossttuedu
Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 66
Location: Tianjin
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 Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:33 pm Post subject: Dealing with medication and pharmacies overseas |
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| Hello. I was wondering if anyone here has experienced dealing with foreign pharmacies, particularly in China. Can an American Rx be filled in China? Also, since it is in English do they have translators at some of the larger pharmacies? Any help is appreciated. =) |
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Cdaniels
Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 663
Location: Dunwich, Massachusetts
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| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:19 pm Post subject: Ask in the China forum |
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Rosttuedu, You should ask this in the China forum. In Europe and Latin America, getting most pharmaceuticals is generally easier than US. Often the pharmacist rather than a doctor gives out the prescriptions. I think the US system sucks. Why should we pay a doctor (or health insurance) what is basically a bribe, a graft, in order to get medication? Since computerized records, my local US pharmacy knows my medication history and possible interactions a lot better than my doctors.  Meanwhile the pharmacists at chain stores (local pharmacies have mostly been put out of business) are overworked and underpaid. It's stupid.
BTW Find the Generic name of your medication. The medication may be only sold as a generic, or even under a different brand name in foreign countries. If you get accupuncture, make sure they sterilize needles properly- often they don't- in the US and Europe, they use disposible needles which are much safer. Stay Healthy  ! |
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rossttuedu
Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 66
Location: Tianjin
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| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for your insight =) |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:42 am Post subject: |
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I don't know China - but in much of developing East and SE Asia - pharmacies require nothing from the physician.
The previous poster is correct, sometimes certain name brands will not be available, however a local generic can be substituted.
Bring a good supply with you so you have time to search and don't be surprised if you find local generics for 1/10th the price.
Should you have trouble finding a specific medicine - the major cities and/or capital cities have international hospitals that can solve your problem.
In most countries pharmacists will be able to speak at least rudimentary English - as some of their university study will have been in English (certainly the research components of their program - as most pharmaceutical research will have been published in English). |
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acwilliams
Joined: 17 Feb 2006
Posts: 68
Location: Now in China, soon moving on
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| Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 6:34 am Post subject: |
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cdaniels wrote:
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| Find the Generic name of your medication. The medication may be only sold as a generic, or even under a different brand name in foreign countries |
Absolutely right. The medication you require will be available here in China, but not under the brand name you know.
I wouldn't rely on being able to find an English-speaking pharmacist here. But don't worry about this. You can get either the Chinese staff at your school, or a student, or a Chinese friend to write down your request and then take it to the pharmacy. Or ask them to accompany you. You'll find them very willing to do so, in my experience.
Another thing: there's no GP or family/personal doctor service in China - all cases, even non-emergency cases, requiring treatment by a doctor are seen as outpatient cases at the local hospital (strange for me, but I'm a Brit, used to going to the GP's surgery - and to being treated for free...).
Finally, if you go to the hospital and get a prescription from a doctor, don't buy the medicine at the pharmacy counter inside the hospital - it's up to 50% more expensive there than at the pharmacy in the street outside! I don't know why this should be, but unfortunately that's how things are here. |
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