If you elect to live in the Philippines, one of the things that you have to keep in mind is health care. I mean, health care is relatively inexpensive here, but the costs can add up. You can get certain types of insurance, but the odds of having a medical plan as comprehensive as what you may be used to is not that likely.
I mean, for many expats, they may well be leaving behind a government medical plan. For example, Canadians, British and most Europeans have free, or low cost medical care as part of their Citizenship. Americans, for the most part, have health insurance through their employer. Yes, some Americans are uninsured, but that is not what we are here to discuss. It may be a hot political issue back in the States, but that has nothing to do with Living in the Philippines.
Most expats here have no real medical coverage. For daily medical needs, that is generally not that big of a deal, because doctor visits, even hospitalization is very inexpensive here, especially when compared to that in the USA. I mean, you can generally go for a doctor visit here for P200 to P300 or so, even with a specialist. When it comes to any kind of major medical problem, though, you could be facing some large bills.
For example, in 2001, I suffered a stroke here in the Philippines. I was hospitalized for two weeks, one week of it was in Intensive Care. After that, I had a couple months of daily therapy at home from a physical therapist. My hospital bill was less than $4,000, very cheap for that level of care. My daily visits from the physical therapist were p100 per visit (at my house!).
If you have any chronic illnesses, though, that require a regular regimen of medications, the bills can add up. I mean, you might not be hit with a huge bill at one time, but week in and week out, the cost of medications can really add up. Consider also that most expats who decide to move here to live are already at retirement age, or approaching such an age. People of such an age commonly may need a number of different medications to remain healthy.
In my case, I take several different medications on a daily basis. A couple of the medicines cialis that I take ring in at about $1 per pill. Not a huge amount, but if you can get it cheaper, why not?
In the Philippines, for several years there has been great debate about introducing more generic medications to bring down the cost of drugs. In the US, generics have been widely used for decades already, and are very effective. But, in the Philippines, generic medications can be very difficult to obtain. If you go to most pharmacies, they have the brand name drugs, and no generics.
Recently, though, I found out about a Pharmacy called The Generics Pharmacy. The Generics Pharmacy sells only generic drugs, and their prices are very, very cheap, compared to the regular drugs in other pharmacies.
As an example of the kind of prices you can expect, sometimes, if I get a bad infection, I take Cipro, a very strong antibiotic. Here in the Philippines, Cipro is generally sold under the name “Ciprobay” which is manufactured by Bayer. At The Generics Pharmacy, they have Ciprofloxacin, which is the generic equivalent. I always buy Cipro in the 500mg size. The Bayer version is around P80/tablet, or it was last time I bought it. If anything, it is probably more now, as I haven’t used it in probably a year or so. At The Generics Pharmacy, the price of a 500mg tablet of Ciprofloxacin is P6. Talk about a savings! That is more than 90% off of the price of the non-generic drug!
There have been some drugs that I have checked where the savings was less. On one of the drugs that I regularly take, the savings is 25%, but all of the others are much higher in savings. Even a savings of 25% is a huge amount!
The Generics Pharmacy even has a website (linked above) that lists all of their prices for every medication that they carry. They have nearly 400 branches, nationwide too. If you are in the Visayas or Mindanao, you will pay 7% more than the cost shown on the site, but that is only a minor amount compared to the savings that you will gain.
Here in Davao City we have two branches of The Generics Pharmacy in town already, and a number of others preparing to open.
I believe that once this Pharmacy gains a strong presence in the Philippines, and Filipinos get to the point where they trust Generic Drugs, it is going to have a huge impact in bringing down the prices of medication in the country. Right now, if you buy non-generic medications, the price here is sometimes more than you would pay in the USA.
Hi Bob, does this pharmacy have a location downtown near the Aldevinco shopping area? I remember stopping at a pharmacy there (on the corner)for aspirin, but can't recall the name. I only recall the vast selection of products and what seem to be relative ease of buying medications.
Hi Henry – I am familiar with the pharmacy you are mentioning, but that is not The Generics Pharmacy (TGP). TGP has two locations in Davao, one is in Agdao, and the other is near J.S. Gaisano Mall (Gaisano South).
Thanks for the article Bob . I just checked and found there are none in CDO yet but 3 are " opening soon " . And it's alway great to save a little here and there . 🙂
Hi Alan – If you got the "opening soon" info from their website, that is not always updated, unfortunately. They show only one open in Davao City, but one of the "opening soon" locations is already open. So, you might swing by the locations shown and see if they are already open for business.
I agree, saving money wherever you can is a good thing!
Hi Bob,
Interesting news,i remember some time back there were gov't discussions going on about allowing generics into PI.
Looks like it actually happened.
regards Chas.
Bob: One thing I had to get used to after moving here was going to the pharmacy to pick up over the counter medicine, like Panadol. In the States and most of Europe, any convenience store or gas station normally has at least aspirin available. It was quite a shock standing in a 30 minute queue to buy some aspirin for the first time. The other thing that was really different was paying by the pill, rather than a whole bottle or package.
Hi chasdv – Actually, generic drugs have been legal in the Philippines for a long time. I was surprised to see that The Generics Pharmacy has been in the business of selling generic medications in the Philippines since 1989! Wow! The big debate has been whether the government should require doctors to tell patients of the option of going generic, or even prescribe generic names.
Hi John – Very, very true! I am already used to it now. No matter what kind of drug you want, you go to the Pharmacy! Aspirin, whatever. And, it is always sold by the pill! 😉
It's a common thing that there's money to save on generic medicine. The funny thing is that in most cases i.e. Bayer would send a generic version of the drug on the market right before their exclusive license runs out – so both the original and the generic drug is Bayer produced……and that gives you something to think about 🙂 BTW I onley used Bayer as an expample it could be any medical company.
Hi Michael – I fully agree! Yes, the big pharmaceuticals are smart guys. Gotta protect that brand, even if it's generic! Ha ha.. very wise. I am a firm believer in generics.
Hi Bob I too used cipro recently for a bad infection i got after i arrived here and for a ten day supply 500 mg 2x a day was a little less then P300. just to mention though, ciprofloxacin is the proper term for the drug and not a generic term. Bayer introduced the first broad-spectrum oral fluoroquinolone, ciprofloxacin, in 1987 Under the trade name Cipro HC. The generic names are Ciloxan, Cipro, Cipro XR, Cipro XL Ciproxin and Proquin. Living here in the Philippines i guess i had to become a quasi pharmacist lol. And i believe as in everything else here, your area determines the price you pay. You living in the big city of Davao will pay more for just about anything then i will living an hour north of you in Tagum City. It really is refreshing here not to have to take the extra step in visiting your physician just to obtain a prescription for an antibiotic that you know will resolve an issue you are having. It seems in the west it is programed that we spend P5000 on a doctor visit so we can pay P4000 for a weeks worth of antibiotic for an issue we have already experienced before. It just goes to show the cost of living here and the many way's you can save a peso 🙂
Hi Tommy – The name of the drug that they sell at The Generics Pharmacy is Ciprofloxacin, so that is the name that I used. Price at TGP is fixed. Same in every city. Only difference is that prices are 7% higher in the Visayas and Mindanao, which I presume is for shipping purposes.
Actually, when it comes to general pricing, I really disagree with what you said. For locally grown stuff, fruit veggies and such, yes, you will pay less in Tagum. For many products you will pay more in Tagum than Davao, though. It just depends where it comes from.
and btw so excited to even have a branch opening here in Tagum ! great website and thanks Bob for passing this along
Hi Tommy – They seem to be opening for business almost everywhere! I am also very happy about that!
This is a huge concern for me Bob; the high powered meds. This maybe a better question for Dave Starr? Doesn't the Veterans Administration provide the disabled veterans free meds as they do here in the U.S?
There is talk here, I think by the FDA, that drugs like Percocet and Vicatin will no longer be available even by prescription. My problem is that I may have to go through a 100 or so different kinds of meds to find something that works more than a month, week, day or at all.
Thanks for the response!
Hi Ed – Since I did not serve in the military, I don't know much about VA. It is my understanding that the VA here only handles service related injuries, but I don't know if that extends to medication. One thing I will tell you is that things like percocet and vicodin are not available here at all.
Kamusta ka Bob,
This place looks great, but looks like no plans for Maasin City, so looks like Mercury Drugs will be my choice for now….but this is very encouraging to see.
But I have no problems buying the generic brands, I have been for years, and plus, my first job in high school (real job that is)was a pharmacy clerk, and the pharmacist always recommended generics. Not for the reasons most of you think of, not at the request of pharmaceutical sales reps. They just believed it was the same thing, just cheaper, so no sense in wasting money for the name brand.
The only thing that scares me about medicine in the Philippines, and that it is readily available with out a prescription. In one sense it is good, not having to always see a doctor. But sometimes we could mis diagnos a problem that may be more serious.
Just my two cents…
Salamat kaayo,
Danny 🙂
Hi Danny – One thing important to remember… nobody forces you to go get drugs without visiting the doctor first! You are always free to go get a diagnosis first. In some cases, though, like diabetes, where I have a certain drug that I have to take every day, day in and day out, it's nice that I don't have to go get a new prescription ever month or two.
Maayong Buntag Bob
It looks like the prescription medication is very reasonable at The Generics Pharmacy. But the food supplements are twice to six times what you pay for them in the states. This has always puzzled me why vitamins are so expensive in the RP.
Hi Larry, maayong gabii sa imo. Well.. one thing I know for sure, though… we aren't in the States! 😆
Seriously, some things are cheaper here, some things are more expensive. That is just a fact of life. You are certainly correct that vitamins are very expensive here.
Bob: One minor correction… You need a prescription here for most narcotics or serious pain meds.
Hi John – Absolutely. If I ever said that you don't need one, it was accidental. I have on a couple of occasions been able to buy some prescription stuff without one when I knew the pharmacist well, but those are exceptions. But, most serious pain meds are not even available here, and when they are available they do need a prescription.
Hi Bob, can you buy medicines without a Doctor's prescription? I'm not talking about over the counter type of medicines like aspirin and such but like Naproxen, Cephalexin, etc.. The reason I'm asking is if you run out of your prescribed medicines and you are thousands of miles away from your regular Doctor, will they sell it to you or will you have to visit a local Doctor to get a prescription?
I'm sure some of your readers would like to know too. Thanks for the info in advance.
Hi Jun – Yes, most drugs can be purchased by just walking up the counter and asking for it. About the only exceptions would be for narcotics or other very serious pain medications.
I love the pharmacies in the Philippines. You don't really need a prescription for most drugs that would normally require one in Canada or the US. My wife even says that you can buy anesthesia over the counter (for dentistry purposes). Here in Canada you need a prescription for almost every kind of drug…understandable, but a waste of time waiting at the clinic just to get it! A visit to doctor in Cebu if I remember correctly cost 350php T.T
Hi Jason – Buying anesthesia without a prescription… not to mention any names, but the home use of anesthesia has been in the news lately! 😉
Yes, the prescriptions are defiantly cheaper though. I have a friend whose wife uses an inhaler for her asthma. The cost there is $28 and the co pay that insurance does not cover here is $230. this was without the Generic brand discount.
Kamusta mo Bob and John,
Of course I know, nobody forces you not to go to the doctors, was just saying that sometimes its not good to self diagnos. I guess that is my old family doctor, Dr. Lee's old words still ringing in my ears…lol.(FYI Dr. Lee is now retired and living in the Philippines, near Manila somewhere, he grew up around Cabanutuan City, and was a young filipino guerilla fighter during WWII).
I also understand John, that certain narcotics and pain meds are prescription only. If that weren't the case, a lot addicts would be finding there way to the Philippines for oxycotton and other narcotics.
One thing I really hate/dislike (hate is such a strong word) here in Florida, is that so many of these "Pain Management or Pain Therepy Clinics" have popped up everywhere. There such a scam for people who are hooked on pain meds (not saying everyone that uses these clinics are hooked on pain meds, some are legit people with problems). But these meds are easily obtainable from these clinics, and then when they can't get them from that clinic anymore, they just go down the road to another.
I can't count how many times I had to call police or phyically remove someone from our Walmart pharmacy also for passing bad prescriptions, especially for oxycotton. They were worst than the shoplifters we apprehended sometimes.
Great article Bob, and thanks John, I hope all is well with you and the family..
Salamat kaayo,
Danny 🙂
Bob, I thought that you were a former U.S. Marine. I assumed this a few years ago from your camouflaged looking shirt. I thought that this gave you access to the military exercises on Mindanao. I see, I was wrong now.
Hi Ed – I've never worn a camouflaged shirt or even pants or hat in my life. You must have me confused with somebody else. 😀 Rusty has some pictures of himself wearing a camo shirt. But, I have never worn one in my life before…
Hi Larry – Wow! That is a big difference! Generally, meds are more expensive here than in the States.
Hi Danny – Certainly, in most cases, it's best to go to a doctor. Follow my advice, don't follow what I do! 😉
Another good article that has answered questions I did not have to ask. That Generic Pharmacy website is interesting and at least they have prices posted for comparison. I'll pass along that site to my friends in Iligan and CDO. I also left a message on the comments section of the TGP website of where I heard about them, right here on " LIP " .
Thanks for the plug, Bob!
again, talk about timing. every now & then you post an article that coincidentally times in with a news report.
i'm talking about big pharma companies being investigated by the senate about making inside deals with malacanang to delay the cheaper medicines bill. great timing.
also, shrewd business move by "the generics pharmacy". it's a "why didn't i think of that?" business model. before the mess involving the bill is settled, this pharmacy will be dominating a market in demand.
Hi Macky – Ha ha… I have an inside source who gives me the scoop and tells me just when to post it! 😆
Glad you enjoyed the article and found it informative.
Cool!!!
I Have both Maxicare and Philhealth for my health insurance but unfortunately, I have to pay out of pocket for my drugs. the ones I take on a daily basis are .40,20,22,13,25 respectively = 120p per day. Would be great to lower this cost even more. Fortunately, I am going back to Canada for a few months and also seeing family in Italy so will probably load up over there at 50% discount to what I typically pay here for most of my drugs. Maybe it will still be cheaper here than Canada/italy so I will check tomorrow and compare. Wish I knew about this generics place earlier
Hi Bob ,
that,s good news for me , [ as i need 4 different pills a day ]
When i later retire , it will be payable for me .
I saw on their website , that they will open soon in the new
Gaisano super mall .
And as the mall is allready open for months ,
i think they are allso.
Now i only have to wait until i can start my yourney .
Gr. Anton
Guys the only problem here is that you do not know if the drugs either generics or brand name are not fakes. I had a bad case of pneumonia a year ago the doctor gave me prescription and my wife had it filled at a small pharmacy across the street from the hospital
She did not buy a generic but the name brand after 3 days of taking the medication I was getting worse so the doctor changed my prescription and told me to have it filled only at mercury drug he then asked me for the old medicine I had bought sure enough after checking with the drug company representative they medication were fake you could see the printing and packaging were similar but not identical and the batch numbers were not present Doctor told me that fake medicine was common here in the smaller drug store wish I had known this sooner or he had told me what pharmacy to fill the prescription at
Any way Learned my lesson now I only buy from the large drug store chains better to pay a few piso more then get some fake pill that could end up killing you
Tom / Roxas City
Hi Bob, Has anything been written, or do you have any idea about the acceptance of generics for the public in the Philippines? My sister-in-law who lives in Cebu City was recently prescribed a generic blood pressure medication. Later on she complained to me that she thought that the generic medicine wasn't working as well as the brand name might. Do you think that this might be a common bias like first arose when generics were introduced in the US, that then slowly changed to trust and popularity of generics?
It seems like a great savings for people.
I agree that vitamins are expensive in the Philippines and not always thought of as being that "pure" or "real". Now the gift most coveted by friends and relatives for us to bring from the states is not chocolate or perfume, but vitamins!
Hi bill – Good luck on your trip. When you get back, hopefully you can start saving on your medications!
Hi Anton – Nice to see you! I think you are right, mostly likely they are already open for business! Just waiting for you to arrive! 😉
HI Tom – I suppose you don't know if the brand name are real or not too, so better to pay less! Ha ha.. I have lived in the Philippines, and I always buy my meds at reputable places. So far, I have never had a problem.
With 390 stores nationwide, I would consider TGP a large chain.
Hi Queenie – I think that most Filipinos have not really used generics much. Media reports and doctors have told them that generics are not safe, so some education is in order, I'd say.
Hi Queeniebee,
Many doctors in Europe consider vitamin supplements a waste of money.
They say, if a healthy person eats a healthy varied diet they will get all the vitamins your body needs.
regards Chas.
Hi Chas, I guess in the US, doctors and studies go back and forth on this too. I agree it's true that you can get a lot from eating a varied diet. For myself, I just believe that vitamins have helped me as a supplement to keep up immunity and such along with what I eat. I guess it's just a personal choice on what might work for the individual person. It is a big industry though, but not as big as the pharmacutical industry.
But Bob, do they have any reason to report that? A lot of people could be benefitting from the cheaper prices. Why would they discourage people from using them?
Hi queenie – I am not one to make a judgment, but I will relay what others are saying. You see, doctors are paid by the Pharmaceutical companies to promote their products. If not outright cash, they are given trips to conferences, and stuff like that. If they prescribe generics, then those fringe benefits will have to go away. Remember, this is the argument, not necessarily what I say. I have friends who are doctors, so I will not go one way or the other on this one! 😉
Hi Bob,
Thanks for this good article!
I am a type 2 diabetic and take Metformin Tabs 3 x a day! The cost if a box of 100 is less the p200 at the Generic Farmacy which is less than half the price I have been paying at other drug stores, silly as it sounds but that will save me nearly p3,000 per year! We have 2 branches in Gen San and 3 more soon to open, even one here in Purok Malakas!
Thanks for the info,
Chris.
Bob, this is a great find. In general I'm in excellent health but I do have to spend what works out to a dollar or so a day on a couple 'maintenance meds', and without a US doctor to write my scrip, I can't get them from a discount pharmacy plan I otherwise have through the military. I see there is a branch of this place not to far from me, so I will certainly be checking it out.
For Ed and anyone else I missed asking about VA coverage. There is a VA office (administration, benfits processing, etc. in Manila and a separate VA Clinc alos in Manila … the only such facilities outside the US or it;s possessions. But I have no disabilities and have nothing to do with the VA, so I can't be of much help.
I would rely on _no_ones_ advice (especially mine) but instead visit or call the Manila VA office (just Google US VA Manila). Every veteran's case may well be different than another vet's, so hearsay info is distinctly unreliable.
One other issue I have seen alot of discussion about is frug availability here. Many people have bene tld by a doctor not to use a genberic. They thus shop for the name brand drug they used in the US. Might not be available. Many major drug companies do something which mystifies me. The same name brand drug they sell in the US is manufactured by the same company for sale overseas under a different name. Not a generic substitute, the same drug, different trade name.
Go to the manufacturer's web site and look up your drug there. If there is an alternative overseas name it likely will be listed. I know a fellow who needs a special heart medication and figured he couldn't live in the Philippines … but then found the exact drug is sold here under a different trade name. Worth a shot.
Strong pain medication is a big problem. Many brands are not available her in nay form. Something to look into before you make a move.
Hi Chris – Hey, those things add up! Like you, I take metformin as well, so I understand all the way!
Hi Dave – Good luck, I hope that you can save a few Pesos on this too! I know that I will.
Kind of reminds me of the era of " Payola " in the broadcast radio business in the 1950's here .
hello, Bob very good article. Am hoping they'll have one in Bislig in the not so distant future.
Warm regards.
Hi Bob,
I also see this is a franchise operation,offering opportunity and real jobs.
Good news all around.
regards Chas.
Hi Bob – 😉
Hi nene – Yeah, I know there are plenty of people in Bislig who could really benefit from such a place.
Hi chasdv – I saw that myself… the businessman in me never misses that kind of thing! 😉
To me it seems like the drug stores here in Iligan do a roaring trade. Thanks for the article Sir BoB.
Oh by the way Dave Starr there's a good optometrist in Iligan if you want one!
frug….have bene tld… available her in nay form…benfits processing…
Not having a dig at you Dave son as I read your articles and I know you can spell, but Iligan Optix are great to deal with and there cheap.
Hi Boss – I believe that pharmacies are one of the most successful businesses in the Philippines – they are everywhere, and always crowded!
Great article Bob! I'm somewhat concerned about buying generic drugs in a third world country. You never know if you are getting the proper dose (quality concerns) or an outright fake (from China or India). Knowing they are sold by a nationwide chain with a reputation to protect is a definate boost.
Hi David – To me, I see no better assurance of authenticity if you buy brand name drugs or generics. Either can be fake. But, yes, a nationwide chain does give it a little boost in reliability!
WE have a Generics Pharmacy here in Gingoog city too Bob … Phil n Jess
As far as I know, I own the biggest TGP franchise outlet in the Philippines( in terms of floor area–47 sq. m., excluding the mezzanine mezzanine office and warehouse) and it is located at the RMC Building, Magallanes St., Davao City.
For those not in the know, the RMC compound is not anymore a school; it is currently undergoing a major renovation for conversion to a commercial center.
We offer free medical check-up every Saturday.
Hi Bob,
Unfortunately, I’m not involved in the day-to-day management of my generics pharmacy. It’s my wife, Lynda. Our location is now in the recently constructed Wisons Shopping Center (the old Rizal Memorial Colleges, RMC) at A. Pichon (formerly Magallanes) St.
I’ve also put up my The Generics Pharmacy outlet in Calinan District, Davao City last November 2009. It’s at the main road, Magsaysay St., near the L-300 jeepney terminal.
Best regards,
Ismael
Hi Bob,
I have a "The Generics Pharmacy" (TGP) franchise outlet located at the former RMC Building, A. Pichon St. (formerly Magallanes St.), Davao City. It was established much ahead of the new one in Ilustre st. (near Gaisano South Mall).
For those who are not in the know, the RMC compound is not anymore a college. All buildings are undergoing major renovations for conversion to a commercial center.
Hello Ismael – Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Are you usually at your branch of TGP? If so, maybe I will stop by and see you one of these days.
Bob:
Do Philippine pharmacies sell to American citizens by mail. I have a condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and no insurance. The cost of the medications are extremely expensive if you can even find a doctor to prescribe them to you. Are there US speaking Doctors and Pharmacies that will work with US citizens over the internet?
Hi William F – When you say you are looking for "US speaking Doctors" – I am assuming that you mean English speaking, right? 😆
Every doctor in the Philippines can speak English, that is a requirement for college. I am not aware of any doctors who would send drugs through the mail to you, though. Did you check the Generics Pharmacy website (I had a link to their site in the story) to see if your drug is available?
Hi Bob:
Yes you got me I meant English speaking Doctor and Pharmacist. I am sure they would not sell the medications I need without a prescription,but I'll look. I've sent medical records to consultation sites and have no problem getting the presciptions but between the highway robbery cost of the consultation and then the cost of the presciption I'm overspent for the month. I know there are a lot of sites out there that say they sell the medications I need but I would think without a presciption they would be a scam and I can't afford to throw money away. A friend that recently returned from the Philippines said he went to a doctor there and said they were very liberal there compared to the US. He also said that before he left he tried to go back to the doctor to get a refill f the medication but he couldn't get in on that day so he went to a coupe of different pharmacies and was able to obtain his medication without the prescription. That is what got me seaching arcticles about the Philippines.
Hi bob, i’d like to ask i’ve been searching all over in every drugstores regarding the aspirin. is there any generic for this. cause i used to take aspirin under BAYER or ANACIN. but its way too expensive.
thank you.arigatou
Yes, just go to the Generics Pharmacy and ask for aspirin. They have it, and it is inexpensive. Good luck.
Well ok thank you,.. thanks God I’ve saw your blog.. haha
maraming salamat. Medicines here in Philippines are expensive not like in japan.
Hi bob, i’d like to ask i’ve been searching all over in every drugstores regarding the aspirin. is there any generic for this. cause i used to take aspirin under BAYER or ANACIN. but its way too expensive.
thank you.arigatou
Yes, just go to the Generics Pharmacy and ask for aspirin. They have it, and it is inexpensive.