Korean Job Discussion Forums

[octaviapaz]

How difficult is it to obtain certain types of meds as an adult from a Korean doctor?

[bigtexas]

If you got the insurance, just walk into any psychiatrist's office. Make sure that they speak english. And dont go with any korean! Going to a doctor with a korean, say like a coworker, for this prescription will get you labeled "mental problem". Seriously, go alone. And also, dont go and try to get any meds that you have never been on. They are not dumbasses and know that foreigners take lots of pills. But on the other hand, if you are really needing your meds, explain to the doctor very well your situation and, because you are a foreigner, they will nearly 100 percent give them to you. Also, not all meds are part of the korean insurance, so you should go with an off-brand. Does the same things as the original prescription.

But do you even have Korean insurance?

[Troglodyte]

In general, do meds cost the same here as in North America? Or do they cost more/less? I'm just curious really.

On the topic of ritalin... Do Korean students use this much? I've heard that a lot of students in North America use it now, even if they don't really have ADHD. How common is it in Korea?

[octaviapaz]

Thanks for the tips about going to a doc who speaks English. I really appreciate your advice on not having someone from one's work go with you.

I am a "newbie," so I don't have insurance yet. I'll be buying my own, so my work really won't have anything to do with that stuff.

I am wondering if there is a way to buy insurance that you know has coverage for these sorts of things. Do you know?

[Troglodyte]

Why isn't your school paying for half of your insurance?

[octaviapaz]

Sorry . . . they do cover part of it.

[wylies99]

[wylies99]

[Ukon]

Btw, does anyone know if by getting a perscription your job will find out? I work for a public school and while I doubt they care, i'd rather not have them know.

I've heard medical confidentially is pretty low here....getting the perscription will be a piece of cake however....

Anybody else who has gotten adderall or ritalin filled up here?

[Wishmaster]

Just a head up here. If you want to continue to work in Korea(ie future E-2 visas), be careful about getting any form of psych medication here(even something like ADHD). There ain't no such thing as patient/doctor confidentiality in Korea and I think it is a pretty safe bet that your medical history in Korea(ie through the use of insurance, visits to doctors) would be available to Immi and if they were to find out, they could reject your future E2 visa application. This is one country that is way behind in their understanding of of such issues. Maybe paranoia...but justified considering where most of us live.

[dosed_neurons]

what kind of meds do koreans usually take? any xanax?

[Troglodyte]