How To Find Affordable Prescription Drugs In Your New Home Country

expat network

How To Find Affordable Prescription Drugs In Your New Home Country

Moving abroad comes with many adjustments, including navigating a new healthcare system. One of the biggest challenges can be finding affordable prescription drugs in your new home country. With some planning and research, you can locate the prescription drugs you need at reasonable prices.

Check if Your Medications Are Available

The first step is determining if your current prescriptions are available in your new home country. Every country has its own rules about which drugs can be imported and sold. Make a list of all your medications, including generic and brand names, to bring to your doctor appointments abroad. Your doctor can prescribe equivalent generic medications if your brand-name drugs are unavailable.

Some countries may not allow certain controlled substances like ADHD medications or strong painkillers. Work with your doctor to find alternate treatment plans if your prescriptions fall into prohibited categories.

Understand Prescription Rules

Prescription requirements differ across countries. Some nations allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense certain drugs. Others mandate prescriptions from licensed doctors for nearly all medications.

Research the pharmacy laws in your new home to ensure you follow proper procedures. Failing to get a required prescription can prevent you from obtaining your drugs.

Compare Drug Costs at Local Pharmacies

Prescription prices can vary dramatically between pharmacies in the same area. Call or visit multiple drugstores to compare costs for your medications. Ask if they offer discount programs or loyalty cards to save money on prescriptions.

Independent pharmacies sometimes have better prices than large chains. Don’t assume the biggest drugstore has the best deals. Ask specifically about potential Cialis savings when comparing prices.

Look Into Generic Drug Programs

Many countries have generic drug programs to lower the cost of medications. The generics are bioequivalent to brand-name prescriptions but available at substantial discounts.

Ask your doctor and pharmacist about accessing generic drug programs. The savings can be significant, especially for long-term prescriptions.

Order Medications Online

Purchasing prescription drugs online from verified pharmacies abroad can offer major savings. Do your research to ensure the pharmacy follows best practices and sells authentic medications.

Stick to well-known sites based in your new home country. Avoid pharmacies that do not require prescriptions or are based overseas.

Apply for Prescription Assistance

Some pharmaceutical companies offer assistance programs for low-income patients and seniors to reduce medication costs. Eligibility and terms vary between drug makers.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about prescription assistance programs available in your new home country. They can help you enroll and determine if you qualify for reduced rates.

Check If Insurance Covers Costs

Moving overseas does not necessarily mean losing prescription drug coverage. Many international health insurance plans include pharmacy benefits. The coverage may have limits, but it can still lower your medication costs.

Review your insurance options to see if plans with prescription benefits are available. The premiums and copays may balance out the drug savings.

Don’t Stockpile Medications

It’s tempting to stock up on prescriptions before moving abroad, but most countries restrict bringing in large quantities of drugs. Customs agents may seize improperly imported medications.

Only bring enough of your prescriptions to last a month or two. Then, obtain the rest through the proper channels in your new home country.

Work with Your Doctor

Your doctor should be your partner in navigating prescription costs abroad. Let them know if certain drugs are too expensive so they can suggest affordable alternatives that fit your budget.

Doctors have insight into accessing low-cost generics and prescription assistance programs. Their guidance can help you find the medications you need at reasonable prices.

Moving abroad can be daunting when it comes to healthcare and prescriptions. With some savvy preparation and research, you can locate affordable medications through legitimate channels in your new home country. Discuss your prescription needs with your doctor and leverage local resources to reduce costs.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.