Panama Expat Forum

med costs

6/6/2015 14:32 EST

we are thinking of a permanent move to the bocas del toro area, however my current med costs ar appx $1500/mo. Is there a web site for a pharmacy where I can compare costs in Panama to US prices
?

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Debra730

6/6/2015 15:49 EST

You may also want to try Canada. I use them for some of my patients in the US

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capforfun

6/7/2015 06:47 EST

Not sure where you are from but if you are maintaining ins in the US it may be cheaper to get 90 day prescriptions and have them shipped to Panama

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panamajames

6/7/2015 11:28 EST

Depending on what your prescriptions are, they could be cheaper in North America, and to have them shipped. If you go back once a year, then try to pick up a years supply, that is if you have a good doctor who will agree to that. Many prescriptions here do not need a doctor to prescribe them. If you know your drugs, you can self medicate. Pick and choose what you need and want at the pharmacy and they will let you know if any of those drugs need a doctors prescription. They have the expensive brand names here, and the knock-offs which are much cheaper and just as effective, using the same ingredients, but a lesser well known name. If you are going to self-medicate, then you best know your drugs and what they do. It is best to work towards a healthier lifestyle and get off your drugs altogether. With exercise and diet I am now free from expensive high blood pressure medications. Lifestyles in Panama can be very healthy. Find out from your doctor what you need to do, in order to become drug free. For some, that is not possible, but for many, it is.

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GlamBabe

6/8/2015 13:56 EST

You did not specify if those were your costs with or without insurance? If you have insurance it's much cheaper to get your prescriptions in the USA and ship/bring them down with you. Also, you need to make sure you can get them here in case you run out before you can get refills. While there are many prescriptions available without a prescription that you would need a script for in the US, here in Panama there are many that simply aren't available- some stomach/nausea drugs, anti-depressants and a number of others simply aren't allowed or marketed here at all, so are impossible to find. Literally. Even in hospitals. There are basic drugs available in most categories but if you need a specialty drug that may be more difficult, if not impossible to find. And yes, it is possible to live a much healthier lifestyle here, however, it's often not possible to get off of the medications you're on, regardless of lifestyle (due to other issues).

You need to make sure you also have all of the different names, brand and generic, in English and Spanish when you check to see if you can buy them. There have been medications that were known by entirely different names in Panama then the US and it wasn't easy to figure out.. It's a hassle, but the last thing you need is to be in a different country with no options in terms of what you need to live. And I mean that literally, not in the general sense.

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tomgraff

6/9/2015 01:30 EST

I have all costs covered by medicare. Most have to do with insu;lin, BP, cholesterol & pain.

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gringo2u

8/27/2016 14:22 EST

Can I get clonazepam there,and is it expensive?

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XSMEMORIES

8/27/2016 16:59 EST

Hi, their is a Price Smart in David; however most medicine is more and nowadays here you would need a prescription. I would recommend getting a three month supply, then once you're here you can figure out what's best; also ask you're doctor to write 3 new prescriptions not dated so at least you have another option. I don't recommend stopping medicine without a doctor telling you so. Sheila

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