kari Posted February 20, 2012 at 01:42 AM Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 01:42 AM I don't know if anyone has asked this question before, but it's something I've wondered about. What are the laws or regulations on foreign medicine in China? If you take certain meds that are banned or not available in China, that would be a problem. Example: I take Xanax (controlled substance for panic/anxiety) and Zoloft (for depression), but something tells me I couldn't get these at a Chinese medicine shop. Is there a list of banned medicines or something? I can't just stop taking them so can anyone tell me if this is even an issue? I'm thinking about attending Keats School. 謝謝。 Quote
lordnikon Posted February 20, 2012 at 05:33 AM Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 05:33 AM Anything that would be a controlled substance in america will definetely be a controlled substance in china. Narcotics like xanax and zoloft are strictly controlled and the doctors in china will not want to issue the precription for them, even if you get them to issue a prescription it will only be for a few pills, less than 5. If you need to take the medicine every day you will probably have to return to the hospital all the time to get a new prescription and then get it filled in the hospital pharmacy because only a hospital pharmacy will have controlled substances. It would be easier if you brought a long term supply with you to china, as long as you have the medical papers saying you need the medicine it should not be a problem Quote
abcdefg Posted February 20, 2012 at 07:29 AM Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 07:29 AM ...but something tells me I couldn't get these at a Chinese medicine shop. Right. If you need to take them while here, bring them along when you come. Keep them in the original prescription bottles in case of (an unlikely) check at customs. Also, see this thread: http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/36396-obtaining-antidepressants/ Quote
kari Posted February 20, 2012 at 03:50 PM Author Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 03:50 PM Thanks guys! Quote
jbradfor Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:15 PM Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:15 PM Reading this, three things came to mind. 1) If you're not already aware of it, you should be aware of the current attitude towards mental illness in China. I'm usually rather tolerant of Western / China differences, but in this case the only word that comes to mind is "backwards". Do not mention it to any Chinese friends, and do not be surprised to hear "ridiculous" opinions about it (e.g. "just try harder and you won't need it"). 2) Related to the above, be careful what you say on your visa application about this. Not that I would ever recommend anyone to lie on an official form..... 3) You have already given your full name (in another thread) and now you discuss this. On one hand, I applaud your openness. OTOH, you might want to reconsider how much information you divulge to the world. 1 Quote
kari Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:44 PM Author Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:44 PM What's wrong with discussing meds? It was a legitimate question. I certainly don't want to be stuck in China without my meds so I wanted to know. As for my name - I was helping the guy out with his name by showing him the method I used to find my Chinese name. You want a name that suits you--if you're truly serious about your study. So y'all know my name. Whoopee. You wanna know something else? I get the feeling I'm the only chick here... Quote
jkhsu Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:54 PM Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:54 PM jbradfor gave you some very knowledgeable and wise advice. Getting labeled with 神经病 in China is not what you want to happen. Quote
kari Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:57 PM Author Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:57 PM So there is a different view of people with depression and anxiety disorders then? I didn't know because I'm still learning. No, I certainly don't want to be labeled as 神经病...because I'm not. I'm just me. Quote
jbradfor Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:57 PM Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:57 PM I get the feeling I'm the only chick here... skylee, icebear, and heifeng come to mind.... I know there's more. Quote
kari Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:59 PM Author Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 04:59 PM skylee, icebear, and heifeng come to mind.... I know there's more. I don't hide my femininity behind the internet then. Not that they do, but I see more guys here than girls, or people that don't give away their gender. Quote
jkhsu Posted February 20, 2012 at 10:58 PM Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 10:58 PM skylee, icebear, and heifeng come to mind.... I know there's more. Doesn't icebear's profile say he's a male? Quote
roddy Posted February 20, 2012 at 11:05 PM Report Posted February 20, 2012 at 11:05 PM You could think of attitudes as being the same as they are wherever you live - several decades ago. There's still a stigma, it's not something you would tell people about, and it could easily affect, eg, marriage and employment prospects. As for what information to put out online - all I'll say is that a few times a year someone who posted something on here way back when gets in touch to ask how to get it removed, as it's become embarrassing or inconvenient for some reason. Usually because their Chinese girlfriend (or now wife) has been doing some investigative Googling, I suspect, but also for professional reasons. Quote
jbradfor Posted February 21, 2012 at 12:11 AM Report Posted February 21, 2012 at 12:11 AM Doesn't icebear's profile say he's a male? She lies. Or I'm wrong. Who knows? Maybe I'm thinking of sirenbear (?). Liebkuchen then. That's 3. Quote
roddy Posted February 21, 2012 at 12:38 AM Report Posted February 21, 2012 at 12:38 AM You may wish to continue your guessing game here. 1 Quote
kari Posted February 21, 2012 at 01:48 AM Author Report Posted February 21, 2012 at 01:48 AM Hmm well I don't think I've posted anything I regret but if I do that's my bad. Live and learn. I voted in the poll. 22 girl votes, 80 man votes! Quote
xiaocai Posted February 27, 2012 at 11:19 AM Report Posted February 27, 2012 at 11:19 AM All antidepressants are available through pharmacies, not just Prozac. You may not be able to find Zoloft in the pharmacy near where you will stay but the big pharmacies near a major hospital will keep it. Xanax is under stricter control and will only be available from hospitals, normally. But depending on your level of Chinese and also your medical insurance you may want to bring some with you to cover at least the first few months so it will give you time to figure out where you can get them with a foreign prescription in China and also which way will be more reliable and economic. (Original brands are not that cheap in China.) I don't think these two medicines are considered as narcotics in China or any other country. Quote
abcdefg Posted February 27, 2012 at 12:30 PM Report Posted February 27, 2012 at 12:30 PM I don't think these two medicines are considered as narcotics in China or any other country. Xanax is "controlled substance" (Schedule 4) in the US because of its abuse potential, although not technically a narcotic. Requires not just an ordinary prescription, but the prescribing physician must put his DEA registration number on the prescription as well. Quote
xiaocai Posted February 27, 2012 at 02:08 PM Report Posted February 27, 2012 at 02:08 PM Yes that is case in China too but because the lack of regulating system used the US so it is mostly hospital pharmacy only. However I think statements like "Narcotics like xanax and zoloft are strictly controlled" are irresponsible and misleading as first, they are not narcotics (well at least not considered as 麻醉药品 in China) and second, Zoloft is not a controlled substance and is readily available to anyone who holds a legitimate prescription in China. Quote
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