ADD/ADHD HCMC

The normal pharmacies will not carry stimulants. If you receive a prescription from the psychiatrist, he can tell you what pharmacy that will fill it. I'm guessing the hospital pharmacy would carry it. Viet Nam is in the dark ages when it comes to learning disabilities. With most teachers and faculty not believing things like ADD/ADHD and Dyslexia even exist.

If it were me, I'd contact the psychiatrists you have appointments with and ask if they are able to write/fill a script for a stimulant. With a psychiatrist being an actual medical doctor, they should be able to answer you.

Please keep us updated.

Thanks for the reply,

I will keep you informed as I progress. I worry about the cost of the medication. I know it can be costly.

Thanks,

T

From a post on another site dated August 2015 the distributor of Concerta in Vietnam is
Saigon Pharmaceutical Company...SAPHARCO
18 - 20 Nguyen Trong To Street
District 4 Ward 12
Hcmc
Tel ....08 39400388
Email....contact@sapharco.com
Possibly contact them to obtain addresses of the hospitals,doctors,clinics they supply
Also  try Family Medical Practice Hcmc...Google it for address and contact details.I went there last week after a recomendation  on this site for a different disorder.They have an well stocked pharmacy and I would think if they do not have a doctor who knows your problem they would be able to put your contact with someone who does

Thanks for the reply Gareth,

I know the pharmacy at Family medical practice has the medication because I emailed them. They didn't give me a cost run down though even though I requested one in my email. Maybe they're hiding the fact it's outrageous. Haha.

I have read one post where a guy said he was quoted a price of $16 a pill for Concerta. Ughhhhh!! I can't afford that. I don't remember the name of the hospital.

I will be in Saigon. I don't know if mentioned that in my previous post. I know FMP has an office there.

Thanks for your response and will keep you informed of my progress. I don't arrive in Saigon until Friday May 5 th so I will have to do the leg work then.

Thanks again,

T

Hi all,

Something else related to this post I forgot to ask is about the HCM mental hospital in D 5

Anyone have any experience with this facility? I have read many posts referring to the regular public hospitals and see mixed reviews but nothing about the mental hospital. I visited their website and price list is good.

Just a thought.

Thanks,

T

i'd advise to get those meds from Thailand.

Don't buy meds from any expat orientated pharmacy or clinic. I know of a small mental hospital in D5, not really a hospital more like a clinic, we went there for our wedding certificate mental health check.

Colin
Why do you advise not to but medication from expat orientated pharmacies?
I have understood from previous posts on the forum that some " local" pharmacies sell out of date medication
Thanks
Gareth

Mainly due to the massive markups, 100,200, 300% is not uncommon.

Thanks for the info!....

Two points....I have friends who have a couple of med problems like you. They get everything set up with a family member in the U.S. ( in their case) then they have them ship it here. Cost very little if you ship from the West coast.
Also FV hospital in D7 HCM has a psych department. They might be able to help you. Mental health and psychotropic meds are in the dark dark ages here. I doubt they will come out of the cave while we are still alive. I have a mental health professional friend who says they have had no success here, that they believe you just suck it up and cope. Drives us insane people insaner!!!!!! :

Diazo,

I hear you man..... I've been in touch with Family Medical Practice in HCMC and their pharmacy quoted me a price of $480 USD for one month (30) pills of Concerta which is waaaaay out of my budget. Gareth mentioned SAPHARCO as the distributor in HCMC. I know from research that the production of the generic Methylphenidate HCl is prevalent. The Western clinics and hospitals use the fear of fake medication to exponentially raise the price of the brand name. I'm gonna check out the HCM public mental hospital in D5. I checked out their website and their prices were reasonable but I have no idea about the doctors and medication available there. I will keep you posted everyone.

Best,

T

WOW that is amazing. I am going to FMP next week. I will make sure I don't fill the Rx there. Thanks for the heads-up.

Hello all,

Just an update on my medication situation.... I had my psychiatrist appointment with a Dr. At CMI hospital in D 1 with my proper medical records and current prescriptions. The Dr.was very good and staff were professional. The charge for the first consultation with Dr was $65 USD. Family medical practice was $125 USD as a comparison. So, the Dr writes my prescriptions then tells me they are out of Concerta right now. When asked when the medication would be available, all he could say was maybe 3 or4 weeks and he said it was up to the distributor. Ok, he just finished telling me I shouldn't just stop taking it. He also said the pharmacy couldn't give me an estimate of the cost until they received the meds from distributor???
So, I hunted around a few of the other Western  hospital pharmacies a found two pharmacies that had the medication but was then told by both, they only fill the scripts for their Doctors???? What a racket these guys have going....For now, I continue in the holding pattern getting worse by the day.
Regards,

T

If anyone else has any good recommendations for psychiatrists feel free to post/ PM me. I could use one.

Good vibrations to all.

@Tumbleweed0

Hi T,

I'm wondering with your experience with Ritalin searching.  We are moving there next year and my kid is taking it.

How and where is best to get them? Any psychiatrist recommended? 

Thank you,

Nacha

- @nachamccabe

https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20171020/fake-medicine-a-rising-threat-to-patients-in-vietnam/42168.html

Thanks for the link colinoscapee. I had heard runors of that, but never experienced it to my knowledge. However, they conterfit and adulturate everything under the sun. So does not surprise me. My apology to FMP Diamond Plaza as well.

- @Diazo

So, can anyone recommend a good psychiatrist who can prescribe ritalin, and a pharmacy that supplies it at a reasonable price?

- @caracal15

TO: @OceanBeach92107

I have diagnosed ADHD and get prescribed ADHD medication for my disorder, which is called Vyvanse. It is considered a controlled-substance.

Is my medication allowed in Vietnam? If i have a note from the doctor, and bring the amount needed for the trip (two weeks). Thank you

Do i have to declare it at customs or is there anything i should know ehol traveling throught the airport with it?

- @BodySoulMind

Prescription or not, authorization or not there are some meds banned from being brought into Vietnam e.g. pseudoephedrine. Best to check with the Vietnamese embassy before you travel. When in doubt declare it.
- @Diazo

That is part of it. But even then some meds are banned. In my opinion there is no need to guess about it. Simply consult the embassy of the country you intend to travel to or through. It is in their wheelhouse to give you the facts. But you are correct that is a requirement for most countries I believe.

- @Diazo