Drug Mule In Malaysia

DRUGS ARE CHEAPER IN JOHOR BAHRU

Anjung Medini Where Amber Pharmacy Is

Ever since relocating to Johor Bahru, friends and relatives In Singapore and back home in Europe have taken me for a drug mule - asking me every now and then to buy certain drugs which they can only get with a doctor's prescription or if they pay at a much higher price in their respective countries..

A friend's elderly parent had to take a prescribed drug from the Singapore government hospital doctor to increase the body's bone density. For a month's supply of that drug (I cannot remember the specific name), I was told it cost approximately S$160 from the pharmacy in Singapore.  I visited the Amber pharmacy at Mydin Anjung - a local chain of supermarket in upmarket Nusajaya which envelops bungalow parks like East Ledang and Leisure Farm developments, the same drug cost just MR260 which is about less than S$90.  

I also became the pharmacy's Compounding Service  harbinger - for I am always announcing to all visitors I host how great the idea of compounding is, which to me is like custom drug instead of generic over the counter drugs.  Compounding is hard to find in Malaysian or Thai pharmacies  - and even in developed countries like Singapore.  What the service does is it compounds the vitamins and minerals you need - based on the symptoms you have related to the pharmacist - who in turn prescribe the nutients for your condition - and compound them into a capsule for your easy intake.  My partner is experiencing middle age (okay I did not just say that for she will have a cow!) hair fall and thinning, so the pharmacy had compounded Vitamins D and B Complex and minerals Zinc and Iron (there may be more vitamins and minerals compounded  - please visit a pharmacist to be sure). And for a month's supply it only cost her MR50.  I believe Singaporeans and Malaysians spend much more going for hair and scalp treatments per session?


Dr Ko Clinic

Then there is Dr Ko's clinic which we visit for our daughter's teenage acne.  I remember for our elder daughter, we used to visit a dermatologist in Singapore who prescribed the same
course of Aacnotin/Isotretinoin variant anti-biotic medication for her  acne condition. Every month we had to spend about S$150 for the pills and consultation.  With our second daughter, we visit Dr Ko's Clinic in Malaysia who charges us just MR180 or S$63 (we do buy the pills in Thailand too when we visit - and the price is only S$45 including doctor consultation). 

ItsMdz.blogspot.com Dr Ko Patient Image

But please be wary that these oral tablets must be taken only under the supervision of a dermatologist, who will adjust dosage month by month. It  has been advised that the oral tablets increase photosensitivity, with tendency of skin phototoxicity and photoallergy due to exposure to outdoor conditions, especially heat and sunlight.  This happens when the drug itself gets dispersed throughout her body and ends up near the skin surface, where it absorbs UVA light and causes cellular damage - also called phototoxic event - which happens within hours of initial sunlight exposure.  The UV light alters the chemical drug structure and her body immune system sees the new compound as an intruder and reacts to it as in an autoimmune attack on the body - resulting in itchy and painful rash.  Herdoctor has advised against exposure to extreme outdoor weather, including sunlight exposure.

Dr Ko's Clinic does a host of other aesthetic treatments - of which my partner is rather excited to share details - so looks like I may have to feature her favorite beauty procedures soon.  Or I just should ask her to guest blog them!

USEFUL INFORMATION

Amber Pharmacy

Lot 33, Anjung Neighbourhood Centre No.5 Persiaran Ledang Heights

Email:  info@amber-pharmacy.com

Dr Ko Clinic

101, Jalan Kuning, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru
T: +607 338 1878
GPS Coordinate: 1.48480997,103.77531818
Closed on Sunday