Help getting Epilepsy medication in Vietnam

    Hey everyone.
I recently moved to Vietnam to teach English and I’ve been here almost 3 months. I’ve been staying in one of the Northern provinces and now I’m living in Hanoi (just over a week).

when I moved here I could only bring 3 months worth of medicine with me and they’re running out really soon. I’ve been struggling to find my medicine here (Keppra 1000mg, Serdep 50mg, Vissane 5mg??, trazodone 100mg).

Multiple people told me that these meds are rarely or never stocked? A friend of a friend said that they get their chronic medication sent from Cambodia every month but they don’t really want to tell me how to go about the process. (They said the service is legal but they’re being particular about sharing more info).

The only option I’ve found is the local international clinic near me, but they’re super expensive. I had to restock my endometriosis medication through them the other day and just one box is 2.5mil vnd. The doctor was nice enough to wave the consultation fee which would have been another 2mil, because I was just collecting and she looked really shocked and sad when I said I don’t have insurance haha.

I'm just wondering if they’re up charging the medicine price at the international clinic? Or if it’s really that much anywhere you get it. At home (South Africa), these medications are a fraction of the price, which is why I’m wondering.

It's also a concern because my new job is offering around 30mil a month, which I could live on comfortably, but at an average of 2.5mil for a box of medication x4 every month that’s like 10mil every month going just to meds before paying for other living expenses. So if I go that route long term, it’s not really great.

Because of complications with moving and my visa as well (I’ve posted the full context of this a lil while ago), I’m flat broke and I’m only getting a pay check at the end of January if I’m lucky, which is not great for sorting out the med situation timing wise.

If anyone has suggestions or info, please let me know! Thank you.
   

    -@Noelwastaken

If you are dealing with "Family Medical Practice", yes, they are notorious for charging a premium for medications, especially those that are not readily available.

It's quite unfortunate that you have such significant needs for chronic care medications that are difficult to obtain.

I truly do have compassion for you.

Your best bet (IMO) is to avoid the international clinics & hospitals such as French and establish a relationship with a primary care provider at a Vietnamese hospital.

Pharmacies inside hospitals here have a much greater ability to provide special medications prescribed by their staff doctors.

Every time I've had a special need for medications not readily available, I've only been able to find what I need through a hospital pharmacy.

You will probably need the assistance of a trustworthy Vietnamese friend, so hopefully you've been building that type of relationship with some Hanoi locals.

Please forgive me for adding a note to the casual reader:

This post serves as a cautionary tale to anyone traveling here to work & live.

It's really important to know what healthcare options you have in Vietnam before making the commitment to move here on limited resources.

Unfortunately, this is an oft-repeated scenario, and unless you negotiate a healthcare insurance package with your employer, you'll be in the same boat as uninsured Vietnamese citizens who must pay for everything out of their own pockets.

Best of luck Noelwastaken in working this out to your satisfaction. 🙏

I suggest that you look at going out of the country and Apply for LUMA insurance. At least visit their website and look at their coverage which does cover certain medications ordered by a physician.

You cannot buy LUMA insurance within Vietnam, but im told by LUMA that leaving vietnam and applying is accepted…. contact LUMA for details. they covered most of my medications required after accident surgery… may not apply to pre-  existing diseases?

OB knows his stuff!  The good news is that most drugs don't need prescriptions in Vietnam. The bad news is that some drugs are not available, in particular modern drugs.