Hi there. I’m going to be in Japan (Tokyo) for 9 months to a year on a Working Holiday Visa. I’d like to leave in early April. I’m trying to work out the situation with my meds, specifically fluoxetine/prozac.
I’m aware Prozac is not a thing in Japan, but am slightly confused about what my options are.
Other than registering with a GP and going on another medication (which obviously I’d rather not), the other option is the Yunyu Kakunin sho – but what I can’t seem to find out is the LIMIT of medication you are able to import with this. SURELY there’s no way you could bring in 9 months – 1 year personal supply of tablets (never mind that surely no NHS doctor is going to prescribe this – I’m in the UK).
I then found something on a manual for JET students (I’m not one, but it seemed helpful) which says:
“Method 2: Have a one-month supply sent from home each month. This does not require any special procedures.”
Is this really possible? I have family who are able to pick up my prescription / very kindly willing to send a month’s supply at a time… but is it really possible to send even a monthly amount of Prozac, prescribed on the NHS, out of the Uk and overseas to Japan?
And if this is the case, could I even be sent a monthly supply of my birth control (Gedarel) as well? (or would this be pushing it…)
Final question – if it is possible to ship a monthly supply, presumably you would include the prescription note, but would this then be held at customs and require a Yunyu Kakunin sho style form for them to release it?
Tldr – what is the best/easiest way to get this medicine if in Japan for at least 9 months?
Any insight would be much, much appreciated 🙂
by kasa-obake1985