Medication in Brazil

In general, medications are more expensive in Brazil. The generics are cheaper and the labs I´m familiar with that make them do produce products of reasonable quality or efficacy. One advantage is that medications that are for prescriptions only in the US can easily be bought at pharmacies. More so on-line. If you have a medical training you can easily administer medications yourself. Even laboratory tests can be requested privately, no questions asked! As a general check-up, I recently requested 20 lab tests for myself: liver and kidney function tests, CBC, urinalysis, uric acid level, DHEA-S, total testosterone, estradiol, PSA & free PSA, C -Reactive Protein, Anti-CCP, ferritin level, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, to name the majority. My insurance would not cover some tests that I want, so for convenience, I pay out of pocket. If I need any medication, it´s easy to acquire them too.

Just showing that it´s easy to take care of oneself in Brazil if you know how.

robal

I concur with Robal. I find many medications that require scripts do not in Brasil. Saves waiting in clinic lines. Yes some are more expensive.
I have also found establishing a relationship with a Pharmacia has helped. They know past scripts and help with alternatives or generics. I also was surprised to find labs would do tests if I asked. (discovered when wanting to just get my water tested).
One item difficult to fine in my city was aspirin. You can find it but comes in a 10 count. In the US it is everywhere. No low dose aspirin which I normally take and have to bring back when I travel. I found many drugs are compounded with Tylenol (paracetamol) and one needs to take care if taking one med the such and another doctor gives second "med" containing same.
Many drugs are different in name and I must research what they are and chemical compounds.

Texanbrazil wrote:

I concur with Robal. I find many medications that require scripts do not in Brasil. Saves waiting in clinic lines. Yes some are more expensive.
I have also found establishing a relationship with a Pharmacia has helped. They know past scripts and help with alternatives or generics. I also was surprised to find labs would do tests if I asked. (discovered when wanting to just get my water tested).
One item difficult to fine in my city was aspirin. You can find it but comes in a 10 count. In the US it is everywhere. No low dose aspirin which I normally take and have to bring back when I travel. I found many drugs are compounded with Tylenol (paracetamol) and one needs to take care if taking one med the such and another doctor gives second "med" containing same.
Many drugs are different in name and I must research what they are and chemical compounds.

You must routinely be taking 81mg of aspirin. Sanofi sells them in a small bottle way more than the packet of 10-count.

robal

Two links below for low dose aspirin (81mg) - 90count.

https://www.onofre.com.br/ecasil-81mg-c … ource=zoomhttps://www.drogasil.com.br/ecasil-81mg … oom.com.br

robal

They accept "boleto bancario" as payment.

You have to have a "script" for low dose aspirin?

Nope.

Hi guys,
As far as responsibility, I tend to have more trust in American doctors and drugs, as you know how scared they are of courts and paying millions.
As far as prescriptions, tests and what have you, I used to trust the Brazilians or Mexicans more, but I suspect they have fallen into the same stuff:  Partnering with labs (chemical tests, radiography, etc.) for unnecessary requests.
My GP recently sent me to an ear/nose/throat specialist that decided I needed a CT Scan, which will probably cost the state some 900 Dollars, and I don`t feel anything wrong with my nose (the target of the scan).
I don`t think I have ever been to so many doctors in my entire life as I have now.  Not that I want to but after the first visit they keep scheduling me for many more.  The good thing is that, as a senior, I am not paying a thing, and the medicine is very cheap.  I paid $ 3.80 for some pills that, according to the description of the bill, would cost me over $ 900 Dollars.  As I understand, any generic medicine will cost me $ 1.00 and any brand name $ 3.80.  Not bad, considering the fame the US has built for expensive healthcare.

Gentlemen, I just received this.  I am posting it here in case you haven`t and could be interested:

The U.S. Consulate General in São Paulo is pleased to announce that representatives from the Social Security Administration’s Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Lisbon plan to visit São Paulo on April 1st.  FBU representatives intend to meet with interested parties to discuss the Social Security Totalization Agreement between the United States and Brazil, which may allow workers who accrued social security credits in both countries to combine their credits when applying for benefits.  In some cases, family members may also be eligible for benefits.  Further, FBU can answer questions about social security eligibility and processes, and collect information from individuals who intend to file for benefits.

FBU plans to host a general information session about these topics and expects to be available to conduct individual consultation sessions for those who schedule appointments in advance.

To register for the information session or to schedule an individual appointment with FBU, please send an email to saopauloacs@state.gov with “FBU Visit” in the subject line.  Please RSVP by March 25, and include in your email your full name, U.S. passport number, and whether you wish to attend the general information session, schedule an individual consultation, or both. An individual RSVP must be submitted for every member of your family who will attend.  Those who email in advance will receive the exact time and location of the event via reply email. Please note that we will only be able to grant access to the event to those who submit the required information in advance and receive an appointment confirmation.



Mensagem aos Cidadãos Americanos
Consulado Geral dos Estados Unidos - São Paulo
9 de Março, 2019

Thanks, Ron!

This group visited Manaus last March, and they were very helpful and informative.  They stayed until the last question was answered, including any one-on-one discussions that anyone wanted.  If you have any questions or concerns about Social Security, this is a great opportunity to get reliable answers.

I've also dealt directly with the staff in the Lisbon FBU, and found them to be helpful and responsive.

Ron Pinto wrote:

Gentlemen, I just received this.  I am posting it here in case you haven`t and could be interested:

The U.S. Consulate General in São Paulo is pleased to announce that representatives from the Social Security Administration’s Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Lisbon plan to visit São Paulo on April 1st.  FBU representatives intend to meet with interested parties to discuss the Social Security Totalization Agreement between the United States and Brazil, which may allow workers who accrued social security credits in both countries to combine their credits when applying for benefits.  In some cases, family members may also be eligible for benefits.  Further, FBU can answer questions about social security eligibility and processes, and collect information from individuals who intend to file for benefits.

FBU plans to host a general information session about these topics and expects to be available to conduct individual consultation sessions for those who schedule appointments in advance.

To register for the information session or to schedule an individual appointment with FBU, please send an email to saopauloacs@state.gov with “FBU Visit” in the subject line.  Please RSVP by March 25, and include in your email your full name, U.S. passport number, and whether you wish to attend the general information session, schedule an individual consultation, or both. An individual RSVP must be submitted for every member of your family who will attend.  Those who email in advance will receive the exact time and location of the event via reply email. Please note that we will only be able to grant access to the event to those who submit the required information in advance and receive an appointment confirmation.



Mensagem aos Cidadãos Americanos
Consulado Geral dos Estados Unidos - São Paulo
9 de Março, 2019

Thanks Ron!

Ron Pinto wrote:

Hi guys,
As far as responsibility, I tend to have more trust in American doctors and drugs, as you know how scared they are of courts and paying millions.
As far as prescriptions, tests and what have you, I used to trust the Brazilians or Mexicans more, but I suspect they have fallen into the same stuff:  Partnering with labs (chemical tests, radiography, etc.) for unnecessary requests.
My GP recently sent me to an ear/nose/throat specialist that decided I needed a CT Scan, which will probably cost the state some 900 Dollars, and I don`t feel anything wrong with my nose (the target of the scan).
I don`t think I have ever been to so many doctors in my entire life as I have now.  Not that I want to but after the first visit they keep scheduling me for many more.  The good thing is that, as a senior, I am not paying a thing, and the medicine is very cheap.  I paid $ 3.80 for some pills that, according to the description of the bill, would cost me over $ 900 Dollars.  As I understand, any generic medicine will cost me $ 1.00 and any brand name $ 3.80.  Not bad, considering the fame the US has built for expensive healthcare.

Aproveite!

I expect drug prices to go up as more and more US companies buy up health insurance companies and pharmacies because they now have prescription coverage.  This will in turn make more drugs that required a prescription  vs just asking for it.

At some Drogasil pharmacies the pharmacist can do certain fast lab test. I saw a list of about 30 blood test they can do.  This is the American minute clinic model.

jc1234 wrote:

I expect drug prices to go up as more and more US companies buy up health insurance companies and pharmacies because they now have prescription coverage.  This will in turn make more drugs that required a prescription  vs just asking for it.

At some Drogasil pharmacies the pharmacist can do certain fast lab test. I saw a list of about 30 blood test they can do.  This is the American minute clinic model.

United Health bought Amil of Brazil. CVS bought Onofre Pharmacy. I´ve seen the academic curriculum
of Brazilian universities for biochemists. The first part is pharmacy and later to laboratory diagnosis...

robal

My Brother is a UK Doctor but also works in several roles within NHS. He explained that in Brazil medication tends to be oversubscribed as in more meds are issued than really required. The fact that you can get prescription only medication without any prescription from a doctor is a huge concern. Anti biotics can be readily bought from certain pharmacies when the issue is likely viral not bacterial which means the anti optics offer no help. The issue with this is that it will result in a huge epedemic when the bacteria become resistant due to overprescibing drugs which are not required. It will cause a huge problem in Latam. In answer to the original question I have not been I'll over here so far apart from once in Rio however partner bought something from the pharmacy which sorted me out same day. Knowing what medication  relates to western equivalent can be an issue but my partner who is Brazilian generally knows what is what. I feel more at ease seeking medical help when I am back in Europe and the standards are more protective to the consumer. Saying that when our child has been I'll the private hospitals have been swift.
.

Not able to get antibiotics here w/o script here. Now some meds here do not need script, but in USA they do.
Buda or drugs,com are good source.
Or "Doc" can tell you.

I read it a couple of times but continue unsure about what is the bottom line of your post.
Not sure if you are more concerned about people being cavalier using medicine, or if you are relieved your child receives quick treatment at private hospitals.

Hi Ron,

Apologies, we have a yound child who is Brazilian and the hospital care has been both good and the wait times have been fairly small as in we were seen to fairly swiftly. However there seems to be a reluctance to question the doctor in terms of asking questions etc. Or ot might just be my partner. Which in UK we were routinely do as in question the Doctor and expect prompt responses and that is via our NHS opposed to a private hospital.

MKP