Job Discussion Forums

[ironclad80]

Hi all!

Finally got a job in Japan after 3 long years of hunting. I'll
be living and working near Fukuoka.

If you have a prejudice against people who take anti-depressants
please just ignore this post, it's not for you.

Anyway, I'm wondering where I can continue to get meds in Japan?
I'm currently in Korea and like the U.S. they have private clinics and
many doctors speak fluent English.
I remember when my Japanese friend lived in the U.S. she needed some meds and asked where a hospital was, I found that strange but she said when you need a specific med you see a specialist in a hospital. Is that how it works in Japan?

I'm also worried about the language barrier, I don't need therapy just refills. I studied Japanese intensively years ago and I think if I brush up I can engage in basic conversation again. Will this be a problem in a larger city like Fukuoka?

One more question, are dermatologist visits covered by Japanese health insurance? In the U.S. my insurance covered most but here in Korea it's considered purely cosmetic and I have to pay for it all out of my pocket. Occasionally I get breakouts and need some antibiotics.

Thanks for your help in your advance! I'm really excited about finally getting over there but obviously this is a big concern for me. And please no sermons, I take meds, I'm not ashamed and I function fine.

[baki]

I don't think there's any shame in that if it helps you.

Can you bring them over or have them sent to you? I find that medicine in Japan is quite weak compared to the ones I usually use for headaches and hayfever. I usually have to bring my own Panadol stuff to get a quick relief.

[ironclad80]

[David W]

Your medicine will most likely be easily available but ime you'll need to go and see the doctor at least once a month to renew the prescription. No repeats I'm afraid. Ymmv.

[Pitarou]

You really must check whether your medicine is licensed in Japan. The Japanese medical authorities often license new medicines much later than other countries. (A phenomenon known as "Drug Lag".) This could have been a deal-breaker for me a few years ago. I was on a medicine that wasn't licensed in Japan, and I couldn't easily switch to an alternative.

Maybe you're used to a medical system where your first consultation is with a General Practitioner who either treats you herself or refers you on to a specialist? That's not how it works in Japan. You should go directly to the appropriate specialist in a hospital or clinic.

You won't find many doctors in Japan who speak fluent English, although a fair proportion can get by in written English.

Do make sure that you're on one of the Japanese national health insurance schemes (kokumin kenko hoken, shakai hoken or equivalent). Your national health insurance should pay some of your drug bill. Some employers will push you onto their own private insurance, which won't pay a yen for pre-existing conditions.

[CarolinaBen]

I found this info on the US Government travel website.... travel.state.gov

You can generally bring up to one month's supply of allowable prescription medicine into Japan. You must bring a copy of your doctor's prescription as well as a letter stating the purpose of the drug. However, some U.S. prescription medications cannot be imported into Japan, even when accompanied by a customs declaration and a copy of the prescription.

Lexipro and Celexa are both illegal in Japan.

Since I take Celexa, this got me a bit worried about my plans to move there in June.

Does anyone else have any other info?

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1148.html#medical

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