Prescription medicines in Australia for tourists

Seems all covered from the earlier posts, but just a couple of bits of clarification.

Medicare cards do NOT link medical information between practices. Carry a letter from your GP and if there are any significant changes (e.g. if you need to change drops) get the doctor you see to make a note on the letter or give you another note to carry. I wouldn't try to carry ALL your medical records - just a letter. You will need a covering letter to bring the eyedrops through customs anyway.

Your UK GP will not be able to write a prescription which is valid in Australia unless your UK doctor is also registered in Australia.

The cost of a standard consultation at most suburban GP practices is around $60 - about 25 pound. I'd try to check the Medicare site re cards for tourists but if the cost of shipping a 110 to Oz doesn't daunt you, you might just want to pay the money and not have to wait in a queue for a Medicare card.

plenty of non-prescription drugs available for glaucoma too.... :)

If your over near sydney city there is always back packers medical centers. But it is best to bring a letter from ur doc saying u need it and why just to amke things run smoothly. It is not the sort of drug that pl use for any other reason then what it is prescribed for so I imagine you'd have little problem. BUT, try make sure you get the script early rather then later because then you can not worry about it at all.

Thanks for all the information.

Had a quick look at the Medicare site and since I will be in Australia for 6+ months will register whn I land in Australia.

Does anyone know how long it takes the beaurocrats to issue a Medicare card? Or is it done on the spot when you manage to struggle to front of the queue?


Scrambler, the costs of shipping the 110 to Australia is not to bad, about £1,100 (2,500 Aus$?) one way plus taxes. This is in a 20ft container. My friends vehicles (3) are sharing a 40ft container. Costs £1,500 + taxes (return) each. My return date is not fixed so return leg of journey is open ended. I think it is reasonable considering it will be a BIG trip and considering overall costs. Would rather ship my 110 then buy/rent one in Australia as I KNOW the vehicle has been well maintained and prepped for the trip.

Thanks for all your advice folks, am sure there will be more questions as it gets closer to the departure date.


Regards


Brendan

If for some reason you cannot get a medicare card and you are able to fill a prescription, you will not get the subsidised cost (PBS cost) of the medicine and will have to pay full price - so if this stuff is expensive be ready for that.

Garry

Since I will be flying through Singapore and having a stop over there would it be possible to buy the Timoptol eyedrops there over the counter?

Just a thought.


Regards


Brendan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leeds

Since I will be flying through Singapore and having a stop over there would it be possible to buy the Timoptol eyedrops there over the counter?

Just a thought.

Regards

Brendan

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Brendan

I think you are worrying about nothing - the PBS price is $14.95 with a max customer price of $16.80 from memory. If this is the PBS price it won't be much more full retail.

If you buy in Singapore you still have the problem of getting a prescription.

You also realise that since 11th September 2001, you are only allowed to carry 100ml of liquid onto an aircraft. You don't want to use all that up with Timoptol drops do you?

Diana

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Numpty's Missus

So don't forget to go to the toilet before you board the plane :D:D:D:D

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I guess that i should have suggested 100ml in your luggage. :D:D

A relative was using Latanoprost, sold as Xalatan by Pfizer to control intra-ocular pressure. Perhaps your doctor could assess whether this will work for your condition as there is less restriction on Xalatan and your UK doctor may be able to issue a 6 month supply.

Brendan

This is all so much fuss about nothing.

I just spoke to our resident Pharmacist.

Timoptol is readily available in Australia.

The Non-PBS price will vary between $A17.00 and $A20.00 per bottle, depending on markup by the individual pharmacy.

Cheers
Diana