Rx-only drugs for an out-of-country visitor?
 

My in-laws are visiting us for a few weeks. One of them ran out of blood-pressure pills. Local pharmacies have them but they only sell them by prescription. Being just tourists, my in-laws do not have a medical insurance. A visit to a doctor to get a prescription could be rather expensive (but I'll go for it if there is no other choice). The drug itself is cheap, about $50 as quoted by a local CVS.

Is there a way to get this drug without having to take him to a doctor? To make things worse, my in-laws do not speak English. Maybe there is a simple way to get a prescription if I know what he needs?

Any hints? Thanks!

Couldn't they call their doctor back home to get him/her to fax something ? Otherwise you will have to visit a doctor to get a prescription for the medication. Doctors office visits are not terribly expensive, about 100.00 or so.

Look for a local Clinic in your area. They can give a prescription and have what is known as a "Sliding Scale" which charges on the ability to pay. In some cases the visit is free depending on the clinic.

He may have a prescription but it is issued in Russia. I'm afraid local pharmacies would not regard it. But I'll call them to make sure.

Is it $100 without insurance? I cannot take them to a doctor and claim it under my account. If I could, it would cost $30.

How much could be a visit to an ER just to get a prescription (without insurance)? Luckily, I never had to experience this myself but my gut feeling is that I'm looking at a grand or so...

Do you have any friends or friends with friends who are doctors? One of my best friends is a doctor and he just calls in a prescription for me in emergency situations. He's saved my bacon a few times.

BTW...The ER is not a great option and it will cost you big time. If it ends up being an emergency situation then the ER might be your only choice. I suggest you stay out of the mix so you don't personally get billed. Have your parents give their billing info and let them try to collect. Not great for the hospital but unfortunately it happens all the time. That is why they bill so much to people who can pay.

First try the prescription, being this is not a narcotic it might be accepted. This being non-narcotic and medically necessary I don't suspect it will be an issue.

No doubt in Dallas as in other states there are public (county hospitals).
These Hospitals serve immigrants and others who do not have health
insurance. Visit one of these hospitals. (The emergency entrance).
Explain the issue to them. I'm sure this issue can be resolved.

I spoke with a local pharmacy and they said they will not accept and out-of-country prescription. I'll ask around if any of my close friends have a doctor friend who could help in these circumstances.

The most annoying part is that this drug costs less than $5 (five bucks) in the country of their origin but they just did not take enough with them on the trip. I thinks this forgettiveness may cost 200 times more...

NOOOOO!! Do NOT go to the Emergency Dept for a prescription refill!!!

1. It is not an emergency, and you are tying up resources that are better applied to people with emergency medical conditions. It is NOT the convenience store of medicine.

2. Because it is not an emergency, you will be put behind those with more serious conditions, and might wait hours, depending on the place and time.

3. Because it is not an emergency, the staff working in the ED will likely treat you with less "customer service" than you would like to receive.

4. You will pay hundreds of dollars for this visit.

5. If you go to a walk-in clinic, you might pay $100 total, and they will be happy to have you there.

That's a definite no, you have to have a medical license in the US to be able to prescribe in the US