Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eventually]

in my mind, i was thinking it'd be as easy as going into the doctor's office and saying "i need ____, please."

any idea who i can talk to/where i can go that would be able to help me get more of my medication?

[luckylady]

what is it you need? not all western meds are available in Korea.

write down on a piece of paper the actual name - not the brand name - and take it to a pharmacy and show it to the pharmacist. it's better to write it down because he/she may not understand your pronunciation; fyi, most pharmacists in Korea read/write/speak English

if they have no idea what it is, you might be out of luck and will need to have it shipped to you

if they do (and it's available), then you just need to find a dr to prescribe it - ask your school to recommend a dr - if that's not an option, post on here where you are and someone will suggest a clinic for you

[ttompatz]

[Swampfox10mm]

I know that the International Clinic in Itaewon can help you get anti-depressants and stuff like that. Helped a coworker find the place, and they set him up with a refill. The doc there is a bit overpriced, but speaks excellent English.

http://www.internationalclinic.co.kr/AP/AP_3.asp

[eventually]

ah, thank you. i think i'll check out the Itaewon clinic. i don't need more just yet, have about a month's worth to go, but i would trust an English speaking clinic to not mess up my order. it's very important that i get exactly what i need. it's not an antidepressant, it's for a fast heart rate, but i'm sure the doc there will know what i am referring to. thanks!

[eventually]

i just sent them an email asking about the medication's availability...i am hopeful i at least will get a helpful response. thanks again.

[Swampfox10mm]

You might want to just call them in the morning.

[eventually]

i would if i had a cell phone, yet....

[Chalmers]

If you do go to the international clinic in Itaewon to get a prescription for anti-anxiety meds, etc...be aware that the doctor used to give the medication out in his office at a huge mark up.

For example, I got a script for 30 days of medication and he charged me about W15,000. I was naive at the time and didn't know that this is actually illegal until I visited the foreigner clinic at SNU Hospital in Hyewha. That doctor there gave me 90 days of the same script and it cost about W5000.

I'm not sure that the guy in Itaewon is still doing this because I havent been there in over a year. But be aware he is notorious for doing this. If you get a prescription from him, you should ask him to print it out because you want it filled at a real pharmacy.

[eventually]

hmm...so it's a shady clinic? well, it's not for anxiety, as i said, it's for a physical issue (well, anxiety causes a fast heart rate, but i don't have anxiety, just a fast heart rate). not sure if that makes a difference.

the good news is i did get an email from them and they ensured me they do have my exact medication, so hoorah.

[luckylady]

well, like I said before, if you post on here where you are (more or less if you aren't exactly sure other than it appears you are in Seoul) people can suggest a clinic close to you.

[Reggie]

Not trying to derail the thread, but in case there are some readers who haven't packed yet, I highly advise packing Immodium and a morning after pill or two. Decent anti-diarrhea meds aren't easy to find like they are in the West, and the morning after pill can only be obtained in Korea with a prescription, which wastes a lot of time for something that needs to be obtained urgently.

[CrikeyKorea]

I sent you a PM with some information on meds and where to get them- not IC in Itaewon- completely unnecessary for your case.

[darkjedidave]

Odd, I find it easier to get meds here than back in the States.

[dairyairy]