Hiya,
I’m going to be moving to Japan for a study abroad year soon, and I’ve sorted most things so far, but the one big hurdle I haven’t managed to cross is how I’m going to access some essential medicines I need.
I currently get these medicines through a private service, who can provide with prescription slips, but they say they’re “European Prescriptions”, whatever that means (for context, I currently reside in the UK). Is there any Pharmacies in Japan that will take those, or will I have to figure out prescriptions whilst I’m there? I would prefer not to have to be represcribed as that process may take too long, and I may run out of my current dosage 😬
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, cheers
3 comments
If they’re legal in Japan you’d have to go through doctors in Japan to get a Japanese prescription as you’d be in Japan.
>I would prefer not to have to be represcribed as that process may take too long, and I may run out of my current dosage 😬
Unfortunately you are 100% out of luck there.
No Japanese doctor or pharmacy is going to honor an out-of-country prescription. You will need to get re-diagnosed, not just re-prescribed.
You should be bringing as much of your current medication as you can (legally) bring with you, because it’s going to take a while. You should also bring any/all possible documentation about your current diagnosis. Medical records, doctor’s notes, everything. The more you bring with you, the easier the process will be.
Also, as u/zwidmer mentioned: You need to check and make sure your medications can even be prescribed in Japan.
My child is studying in Japan for 11 months. The guidance they give is to get a 1 year prescription to bring with you, and of course it must be legal in Japan.