Can I get my asthma medication while in China?
I’m going for a one year study program in China, and I have asthma. I’m currently taking Advair and Singulair. Is it possible to get these medications in China, and if so, what kind of insurance (if any) do I need to get them? Do I need to get prescriptions or not? How much does it cost to buy with and without insurance?
Any information is appreciated!
Yes you will be able to get asthma medication in China especially in the large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. Medication in general is much less expensive in China and in most countries outside the US. You probably don’t have to worry about insurance. Also in China, physicians control the distribution of prescription drugs. Some hospitals and clinics stipulate patients must buy prescription drugs from the hospitals or directly from the physicians who make the prescriptions.
Posted in asthma medications
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:56 pm
In China, you do not need prescription to buy drugs.
and you are not likely to find Advair or Singulair, just take a ton of them with you.
The cost of medication with or without insurance is the same, so do not waste your time and money.
References :
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:17 pm
the above answer is right but it also depends on where you are, here in Shanghai there are international clinics and hospitals that you will have no problem getting what you need, but if you are going to be in a smaller, less international city you may have some difficulties
References :
living in Shanghai and had friends abel to get their prescriptions here no problem
http://www.worldlink-shanghai.com/
http://www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com
http://www.moveandstay.com/shanghai/guide_hospitals.asp
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Yes you will be able to get asthma medication in China especially in the large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. Medication in general is much less expensive in China and in most countries outside the US. You probably don’t have to worry about insurance. Also in China, physicians control the distribution of prescription drugs. Some hospitals and clinics stipulate patients must buy prescription drugs from the hospitals or directly from the physicians who make the prescriptions.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicine_in_China#Prescription_drugs
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Don’t count on buying them in China. IF you are lucky enough to find a place that sells the kind you want it will be either in a pharmacy (no prescription) or a hospital (prescription). For either you would need a translator…even just to find it you would need one…but I’m talking at least one day to get what you need. In the pharmacy they DO NOT have pharmacists…they only have workers who know nothing but selling the most expensive of their drugs. So if you have any questions you cannot ask them. At the hospital you will have to pay to see the Dr. and for the prescription (if the medicine you want is NOT the most expensive then they probably won’t prescribe it), the hospital is a big headache and not what you think a hospital will be. My advice..bring your own drugs.
References :
June 23rd, 2010 at 5:13 pm
If you are travelling often to China, I would recommend your consider purchasing your supplies in your home country. In China, most if not all places will not even require you to provide a prescription. The cost of quality imported medicines are expensive, they are not cheap like everyone assumes.
I am also concern about fake medicines in China, so if these medicines are very important to you, you also need to consider this.
References :
http://www.asianresearch.org/articles/1465.html
http://article.wn.com/view/2007/04/25/China_recognises_GSK_for_busting_fake_drugs_racket/