Moving to a different country...what do I do about my prescription?

[Jun]

Hi there,

I'm currently living in Canada and a new job will bring me to Boston, United States.
As long as I've had seizures, I've been living in Canada so I'm not sure how to get medication or a prescription down there.
Can I just ask my pharmacist to transfer my refills to a U.S. Pharmacist or do I actually have to go see a physician/ neurologist down there to get a slip?

And if I have to see a neurologist or physician, what documentation am I supposed to have? It's not like I book an appointment and tell the doc I have epilepsy and I've been on such and such a drug for x years...now give me a slip.....right?

If anyone has experience or can provide information, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,

 

[masterjen]

Bring this issue up with your current neurologist. Mine has had patients move to other countries at various times. Often she will write her patients a large prescription refill to see them through until they can get at least a GP in the new country, and if the GP can continue the refills then great. If not, then your neurologist should be able to put you in touch with a neurologist near to where you will be living. And if none of that works, go to the ER in the day-time in your new place of residence with prescription in hand from your Canadian neurologist, and an ER neurologist should be able to phone your Canadian neurologist to verify the prescription and get you on your way. Hope all that made sense. If the latter is the route you end up following, make sure you still pursue getting your own neurologist.

 

[Nakamova]

:agree:

If you'll be in the U.S. for any length of time, it's a good idea to get set up with a GP and neuro (there are plenty of excellent epilepsy specialists in the Boston area BTW!). Get a letter from your current neuro providing your epilepsy and medication history, as well as your neuro's contact information. The letter and an appointment should be all you need to get started. If your current neuro has provided you with a "bridge" prescription, you'll have a little breathing room. If you have to switch to U.S.-based health insurance, there may be some specific policies that will affect your prescription, so that would be worth investigating ahead of time.