outsidecleanupset
7/8/2019 13:18 EST
looking for a doctor here in either David or Santiago that deals with hypothroidism. Had a script in US but need to get it refilled.
|
|
ranadelnorte
7/8/2019 13:35 EST
Good news! You don’t need a prescription in Panama. Just ask you friendly local pharmacist.
Good luck!
|
|
AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world. Presently the AGS Group has over 141 locations in more than 95 countries and has one of the largest networks in the international removals industry. We relocate 85,000 families every year. Free moving quote! Learn More Get a Quote
 AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world. Presently the AGS Group has over 141 locations in more than 95 countries and has one of the largest networks in the international removals industry. We relocate 85,000 families every year. Free moving quote! Learn More Get a Quote
|
|
dogbone
7/8/2019 14:10 EST
That is true, but there is some bad news in this story also. I have lived in Panama 14 years, have hypothyroidism, and I discovered the hard way that, from time to time when you need thyroid testing, there is only one pharmacy chain that I know of that does reliable testing. That is Raly Labs. There is one in David and 4 in Panama City. Most clinics and hospitals offer the test, but the numbers will likely be suspect. They cant get sued here. So beware.
|
|
dogbone
7/8/2019 14:12 EST
Sorry, I meant laboratory chain, not pharmacy chain.
|
|
dogbone
7/8/2019 14:20 EST
It has been my experience that most Endos here, except for PC are not good because they often go by a wrong test for TSH. Some don't use that test at all. They really don't know what they are doing. An Endo is only as good as the test he uses. You can just go to Raly Lab and get the test done with no prescription and then, if you don't know what the numbers should be, consult a good Endo with your good test. Since my husband is a retired US Physician, he reads the test for me.
|
|
outsidecleanupset
7/8/2019 14:37 EST
And/or for weight loss medication i.e. fenterminaa ? over the counter?
|
|
AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world. Presently the AGS Group has over 141 locations in more than 95 countries and has one of the largest networks in the international removals industry. We relocate 85,000 families every year. Free moving quote! Learn More Get a Quote
AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world. Presently the AGS Group has over 141 locations in more than 95 countries and has one of the largest networks in the international removals industry. We relocate 85,000 families every year. Free moving quote! Learn More Get a Quote
|
|
ranadelnorte
7/8/2019 15:13 EST
Please try to understand the system in Panama: if pharmacies carry your desired medication you can get it over the counter WITHOUT prescription, unless you want an antibiotic or a narcotic pain medication. Then you need a prescription.
Good luck!
|
|
ranadelnorte
7/9/2019 05:06 EST
@dogbone
You are so right that not all specialists in Panama are well trained and up-to-date. Best chance of finding the kind of specialized medical care you need is in Panama City. Endocrinologists in Panama have experience in treating diabetes because of the high incidence of the disease here, but other endocrine conditions, not so much.
As far as labs go, not all carry the reagents required to perform certain tests, as too expensive and/or not enough demand - check before. Also the climate here is very hard on sensitive and expensive equipment, so a lab should change it regularly. Rally does - others, not so much.
|
|
jonoyakker
7/9/2019 05:38 EST
I have written this before here, but readers float in and out, so I will say it again...if you want higher quality healthcare (at a lower cost than Panama) go to Colombia. Sorry, I can't make a recommendation for your condition in Colombia, but you could try posting on Expat Exchange Colombia.
|
|
ranadelnorte
7/9/2019 11:48 EST
@jonoyakker
Yes, those suffering from a chronic condition - like thyroid disease - fall for hype about the quality of healthcare in Panama, and then discover that it is difficult to find a lab to run credible tests, and a competent doctor to monitor and treat their condition. Always good to check out all options before moving here.
|
|
jonoyakker
7/9/2019 12:21 EST
I don't know how frequently one needs tests and treatments for thyroid conditions, but it is easy and cheap to fly to Medellin (or Bogota) from Panama Pacifico airport. While you're at it, enjoy a visit there...
|
|
AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world. Presently the AGS Group has over 141 locations in more than 95 countries and has one of the largest networks in the international removals industry. We relocate 85,000 families every year. Free moving quote! Learn More Get a Quote
AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world. Presently the AGS Group has over 141 locations in more than 95 countries and has one of the largest networks in the international removals industry. We relocate 85,000 families every year. Free moving quote! Learn More Get a Quote
|
|
marta231655
7/9/2019 12:27 EST
I do not know why people do not think about just returning to the US on occasion,
|
|
jonoyakker
7/9/2019 13:01 EST
Marta, I assume that you mean to return to the US on occasion for medical services? I don't believe the care is anything special in the US, but in terms of costs, my hernia surgery in Medellin was $1450, in Panama, it would have been $2500, and in the US, it would have cost well over $10,000. I was quite happy with the care that I received in Colombia.
|
|
dogbone
7/9/2019 16:02 EST
It is good to know about Columbia with the cost of healthcare rising in Panama.
It is also a good point about having trouble finding specialists for unusual conditions. Panama is good with basic healthcare, such as accident issues, infectious disease, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, the common stuff.
They are not so good with some cancers, Endocrine disorders, psychiatric issues, sleep apnea, etc.
If anyone is interested, there is an excellent Endocrinologist in Panama City at San Fernando clinic. His name is Dr. Adriano Delgado.
|
|
ranadelnorte
7/9/2019 16:16 EST
@Marta
As people get older, they acquire chronic illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes, cardiac issues, respiratory conditions, even certain cancers. Chronic means that the illness is ongoing, but can be controlled with regular monitoring and treatment. It would not be cost-effective to return to your home country for regular (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.) monitoring. Therefore, people with chronic conditions look for a doctor in Panama. Unfortunately, the expertise, critical mass, and healthcare resources for treating chronic illnesses sometimes are not available in a small, developing country like Panama. When they realize that healthcare resources are not what they expected, some immigrants to Panama feel they have been misled by the “hype” about the quality of care here.
My advice to anyone who has a serious, chronic medical condition is to investigate fully if your condition can be treated here. I recommend that everyone immigrating to Panama purchase health insurance that will allow you to get the best treatment possible back in your home country. If that is not an option, at least get insurance that will cover you in Panama, assuming your age and pre-existing conditions allow you to qualify. One of the reasons North Americans leave Panama is lack of adequate healthcare as they grow older.
|
|
marta231655
7/9/2019 16:34 EST
well our plan is to return on quarterly or possibly every 6 months to see the specialty doctors, also to go to the air force base to get our eds. and panama to florida is only around $200
but I agree there are many good doctors in panama
|
|
marta231655
7/9/2019 16:34 EST
well our plan is to return on quarterly or possibly every 6 months to see the specialty doctors, also to go to the air force base to get our eds. and panama to florida is only around $200
but I agree there are many good doctors in panama
|
|
isand2017
7/9/2019 18:53 EST
Are you a US Air Force Veteran?
Have you enrolled in the Veterans Foreign Medical Program to get your prescriptions, etc?
Check out the links below:
1) https://pa.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/veterans-affairs/foreign-medical-program/
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY6zyRRhk8E
3) Have you checked with Hospital Brisas? Brisas del Golf, Panama City
831–6100
Check out the pharmacies listed in the link below:
https://panamarelocationtours.com/veterans-medical-benefits-in-panama
Hope you can find answers in Panama. Take care.
|
|
|
|
Panama
Living in Panama Guide
Panama Forum
Contribute
Best Places to Live in Panama
Healthcare in Panama
Cost of Living in Panama
Moving to Panama Guide
Pros & Cons of Living in Panama
Panama Visa & Residency Guide
10 Tips for Living in Panama
