Thread: Medication

My wife and I are planning a move to Panama in about a year. We both take cholesterol medication and I take blook presssure medicine. Can we bring a prescription from our doctors in the states or do we need to see a Panamanian doctor. I've heard, in some cases, you don't need a prescription at all.

Wayno

Hi waynoga! Are you planning on bringing your medication with you? Or do you mean that you would buy the same medication here without a prescription? It's true that in most cases you don't need any prescription as long as you know what the medication is called. Luckily, there are many doctors in Panama that speak English more or less fluently, so in case you do need one you can easily get it.

Hey Lee;

I guess we were wondering what to do when we moved. will an American prescription be honored?

Wayno

I will ask a friend of mine (her sister works in a drugstore).. and I'll let you know.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

Wayno

I talked to my friend, she says that you can get your medication (with your prescription from your US doctor) without any problems here in Panama as long as they have the medication you need. If you tell me the name of the medication(s), I could ask them specifically.

I also asked her if you would need any prescription at all and if the medicine you need is for cholesterol and blood pressure you won't need any prescription at all. Just the name of the medicine, and maybe to be on the safe side take an empty packet of the medicine with you.

A different matter, when traveling internationally it is always a good idea to be able to show a prescription for any medication that you are traveling with. Just in case you are held up at customs.

Thanks Lee;

That's all the information I need.

By the way, My wife and I really like this forum. You get the information you need without a lot of people bickering over nonsense.

Wayno

we have similar questions about medications without prescriptions - can someone recommend a good english speaking on-line pharmacy in Panama that we can check out our various medications for availability and prescription requirements ?

thanx in advance

Would you want the medications for your time in Panama, or are you looking to get them sent to you in the States?

good morning Seashore - guess I don't understand your question ? why in the world would we want medications sent to our address in the states ? we haven't lived in the states in many years - YES, of course we are talking about availability in Panama - OK ?

Are you allowed to order drugs from the internet in Panama? In the United States, that is usually illegal, at least if you do not have a presciption.

Well actually there are some websites that allow you to buy drugs without prescription and they ship to the US. But as you said, it's probably illegal, so I'm not sure how they get away with it.

I'm guessing they probably aren't as restrictive in Panama. What you should be instead concerned about is any import duties...

I'm sure they just ship the packages using a private service like Fed Ex, without ID or with fake ID.

It wouldn't be a good idea to order such medications, right? If the sender doesn't exist customs will probably question the recipient.

I wouldn't trust those medications. Who knows what's in them? You could get sick or get an incorrect dosage or something.

Well most of those providers do provide the correct medicine, however it's your responsibility to check the package once you receive it and see if it's the right product. (In case an error occurred and the fact that the incorrect medication may lead to dangerous results).

And that's the risk you take by NOT getting it off prescription. Unfortunately, a visit to the doctor isn't cheap unless you have insurance so people have to use such methods to acquire medicine. And in cases where a particular medicine is not available in their local area.

Hi,

I was wondering about the prescription services in Panama City. I am wondering if I will be able to take a prescription bottle into a Pharmacy in Panama City and get it filled - the date on the bottle has just expired though. I will be in Panama for 17 days and would much rather purchase the prescription there than here in the US, as in the US the cost is around $300.00 for 60 pills. Does anyone have any info on if I will be able to buy this prescription in Panama City? One of my prescriptions is for Lunesta (a sleep aid) and the other is for an anti-viral. Would I need to see a Panamanian doctor first??
Thanks for any information/help!!

KTraveler

I refilled my Heart medication in Panama City,when I was low with no problems at all . I would take along a pill so they can visual match it up . They have a huge book on the counter with all the brands/size and pictures to verify the correct type .

How much cheaper was the medication in Panama and was it the same exact brand? Just curious.

It was the exact same brand and $100 cheaper ! Another good reason to move too Panama !

I agree, thank you.

Does anyone know if the expiration will be a problem in me filling the prescription? I'm also wondering if the medication is even available there? Does anyone know how I could go about finding out? Is there some sort of online pharmacy where I could check??

Thanks!

K

Is Cholestorol a problem in Panama?
Because the Food ist less fat, I think!
Othe problem, if so:
Hepatitis?
Is it necesary to protect against it in Panama.
I`ve herad the water is clean and as a careful person, there should not be a Hepatitis -Problem...

Cheers
Mike

Hi! We have been down here for 3 years and my husband was on high blood pressure, diabetes and cholestrol medications. After being here his doctor cut his medications down - over medicated. Now that we have been down here for 3 years they have completely taken him off his high blood pressure pills (4 per day) and lipitor. His blood pressure is running around 120/78 constantly and his cholestrol came in right at normal!! His diabetes is also improving so they have lowered his medications on that too!!!
When I needed his prescriptions ((atenol, atacand, melformin, avandia, lipitor, clonidine, lisinomal) I just took the list into the pharmacy with the different dosages. We didn't need prescriptions and when I refilled them I just took the boxes back to give to the pharmacist. Also certain pharmacies provide a 20% discount on medications (most only give you 10%). This was still way cheaper then the U.S.

Mary
whypanama.com

To MultiVista:

1) No.

2) Hepatitis is not really a problem, but if you do a fair amount of traveling, I think the Hep A and Hep B vaccinations are a good idea. And they last forever. I'd also do the Yellow Fever vaccine. Again, YF is not really a problem in Panama, but some countries require proof of vaccination before they'll let you in. (In fact, Panama was talking about doing this last year, but I don't think the change in laws passed.)

3) Water on the mainland of Panama is safe (and very good tasting); on the islands, it's best to drink bottled water.

I've always just been able to walk into what are the pharamcies in Panam a and told them what I needed. Didn't have any prescription on me when I needed more allergy medication, but they gave it to me anyway.

Make sure you have the clinical names of the meds though, because they are not always brand names or the same brand name in Panama.

Also note that many medications are not available in Panama (even if you know the medical/chemical name), and while some are cheaper than the US, some are much more expensive.

Ya I think you will need the prescription about all your medication...But health wise Panama is Very good..I don't think you should have a problem regarding health..

What about health plans, I doubt many american ones are honored in panama... if there are what ones are honored? Also are medications expensive down there?