MimiLijah
3/14/2017 16:38 EST
My husband and I are considering relocating from SE US to Nicaragua. I am currently taking several prescription medicines. How can I be sure that the meds I need will be available?
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johnchip
3/14/2017 17:33 EST
Most all drugs can be had without prescription at any local pharmacy,and they are found every few blocks and many make free home delivery. (Even Codeine can still be had without prescrition) The cost is kept low here as our compassionate socialist government will only allow import at very low fixed cost. You will find it much lower than your US costs. Most are manufactured in S. America so will have different names. The generic chemical component and dosage will be the same. The pharmacy computers convert the names so it is not a problem.
You can look your drug's name up online and find it's equivilant. in Latin America
My advice once here, take your prescritions and records to a local doctor who speaks some English, set yourself up with him ($20) and have him review you issues. (No one here keeps records like in the US, so keep your own records..
Outside of cancer drugs as they are so specific to treatment modalities I would not worry.
Hope this helps.
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johnchip
3/14/2017 17:43 EST
On a more personal note: When I came here I was on three $5 each pills a day from my US doctors to keep me from what they said without which, I would die in the next 2-3 years. Once here, I went to my Cuban doctor who switched me to one $1 day pill.. In 6 months I stopped taking even that one. Now for ten years I have had none of those pills. and a clean bill of health.
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johnchip
3/14/2017 17:50 EST
Oh, and if I did not make it clear, all pharmaceutical drugs have their generic chemical components, and all are manufactured and available world wide. Even in our poor little Nicaragua..;)
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iguanalover
3/14/2017 17:56 EST
Farmacias have a list of what drugs are allowed in Nicaragua. You need to visit and ask a pharmacist. Most drugs are available but I recently found out that the vicks inhaler - over the counter - has been made illegal and I cannot buy it here anymore. You could call the pharmacy at Vivian Pellas hospital outside Managua and ask. They have English speaking people.
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johnchip
3/14/2017 18:14 EST
Iguana is right about over the contrer US type convenience products, like Vicks inhalers and other , Many such commercial easy use products are not sold here,like vicks inhalers, We have other products that service the need, ust notj as 'packaged'. Ask for a menthol nasal product and you have to use it the old fashion way, with your pinky finger up your nose, but it is available.
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johnchip
3/14/2017 18:29 EST
I might add there is a reason for such products not allowed for import. As a dedicated socialist country, we do not want to add high profit competative product access in pharmaceutical products. Products in the market should be of equal financial access to a poor people as well as the rest. Our access to health care is fair and may not be of the US convenience store level, but provides a full service low cost to all. This may be hard for a gringo to conceive, but capitalism for profit,, particualrly in the phama industry, is one of the great sins against the poor and is a social injustice. Why try and make a person dependent on a plastic inhaler at the cost a meal for their family when their finger works?
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iguanalover
3/14/2017 19:34 EST
Vicks inhalers were banned because they contain a trace of a chemical that can be used to manufacture meth. I didn't think it was political.
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johnchip
3/14/2017 19:54 EST
Maybe so, but the general rule is high profit capitalist products are not encouraged here.
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novato1953
3/14/2017 20:47 EST
Mimi,
Most people wisely visit a place before they move there. Come down to Nicaragua with all your prescriptions and visit a pharmacy to ensure that those drugs, or their chemical equivalent, truly are available. Many pharmacies are actually operated by licensed physicians, and many of them can communicate in English -- the good ones are widely known. Just ask at your hotel for a referral. But this is a big deal, and your concern is well-founded.
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elduendegrande
3/15/2017 00:12 EST
I've generally found my third world doctors in Nic to be head and shoulders above my third world doctors in the US, especially the ones at the VA.
Most meds are available or a substitute can be found. Prices are all over the board, but often the retail price is near the same as the copay in the US. Shop around, things go in and out of stock and prices between brands can be extreme. Buy in advance, especially if you live in a cow town
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johnchip
3/15/2017 01:21 EST
I think, as you can see, Novato and I gave you what you need for your question. Others obviously seem to need to switch their meds. I live in and love Nicaragua,very pleased with my medical care and stay clear of gringo expats, except to have fun with them online. You will do fine here with your meds. If you want me to check them specific for you, send me a private message.
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MimiLijah
3/15/2017 11:32 EST
I sincerely thank you. It's going to be at least a year before we can move forward with our plans. I'm using that time to wean myself away from these prescription drugs. I have high blood pressure due to genetic factors. But there's no reason I must take an $800 per month prescription for it!
I will also bring a several month supply with me when we come as a cushion so there's plenty of time to iron this wrinkle out.
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cedelune
3/15/2017 12:45 EST
When I was first diagnosed with high blood pressure I was put on a medication that was quite expensive. One day I asked my doctor if there was a generic or less expensive alternative. He wrote a new prescription that works just as well as the other and is available in Nicaragua.
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cedelune
3/15/2017 12:50 EST
By the way, you can find out what meds are available here by contacting Brian Running, of The Local Pharmacy in Granada. (barunning@gmail.com). Work with him and your doctor to establish what you can get here and get prescriptions for whatever you need to tide you over.
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