Mike R. Says:
I am thinking about moving to Costa Rica. I’m disabled and have been taking pain medication (oxycodone) for my condition. Receiving this type of medication is a necessity for me to relocate anywhere. Is this going to be a problem for me?
IL Costa Rica Correspondent Bekah Bottone Says:
Hi Mike,
José David Rodriguez, from the Farmacia Panacea chain in Guanacaste, shares, “Yes, we can help in this situation, but it is important to understand that oxycodone is a controlled substance, and we have a trusted doctor at our pharmacy who can give a prescription for it so then it can be dispensed under the proper regulations.”
You can learn more about your situation by sending a message to the pharmacy’s WhatsApp (+506 8636 4401).
It is important to note that this topic is delicate, and you need to speak directly with a doctor. You always need a prescription for this medication.
Whenever people come to Costa Rica, I always suggest bringing what they need to hold them over for as long as possible while figuring out how things work in Costa Rica.
You will find privately owned pharmacies and nationwide chains like Fischel in Costa Rica. One of my favorite things about pharmacies here is that most deliver to your home, which is very convenient when you are feeling under the weather.
You can get things like Viagra, birth control, and even injections without prescriptions, while antibiotics, psychotropic drugs, and narcotics are closely controlled in the country. And prices are often much lower than in North America.
Certain areas may be better for you than others in Costa Rica, depending on your medical needs. For example, beaches in Costa Rica are often remote, and healthcare is less available than in the Central Valley. Although there are often plenty of general practitioners on the beaches, access to specialists is only sometimes available.
However, specialists often visit areas such as Tamarindo once a month to provide care. For example, I just saw a post about a psychologist from San Jose who will visit BeachSide Clinic in Guanacaste once a month to offer his services to the community.
Learn more about healthcare in Costa Rica on the dedicated page of our newly-revamped website.
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