Access to ADHD medication in east Africa?

June 18, 2009 8:02 AM

Expat in Kenya looking for ADHD medication.

American living in Kenya, working for an NGO. Diagnosed with ADHD six years ago, was on medication for a few years at my old job before going off it. It seems I need it at this job.

Do not have health insurance, although I could get it. Would have to be cheap, though.

I was on Adderall before but I'll take anything. (Haven't tried Strattera but willing to give it a shot - i.e., I'm not just looking for stimulants.)

Anyone know my options? Nairobi? Kampala? Shipping anything from the States can take months, so local is better.

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (2 comments total)

I'm an American expat living in Kenya working for an NGO, but I have health insurance, so I'm pretty sure you're not me. I have friends and friends of friends making the trip over on a fairly regular basis. My brother just brought me a huge list of goodies I had been thinking up over the last couple months, so you missed that shipment, but I have another friend bringing me camera parts - he comes in 2 days, so I don't know if you could order online and overnight it to an address in the US, but me-mail me if you could.

Otherwise, I'm happy to figure out when the next person is coming, I'm sure it will be within the next month or so, I'd just have to ask around. Worst case I'm back in the US in August and would be happy to bring it back myself.

A little hint if you ever get in a serious bind: make friends with other expats from the embassy. They can get stuff in under a week at the APO, under their name. ;)
posted by allkindsoftime at 10:40 AM on June 18

The embassy probably also has a list of reputableish English-speaking doctors and pharmacies who treat foreigners (not sure if you generally need a prescription in Kenya, but obviously be careful with Adderall and the like as it is a controlled substance in most parts of the world and may be illegal to possess without a valid prescription). The pharmacy should be able to figure out what's in your budget.

Also you should try asking about health care through your NGO. You don't have to tell people what it's for, just that you're looking for a doctor and/or pharmacy that they consider reputable. In any case, you should have a plan in mind in case you get sick while you're there. Way, way better to figure that out now instead of when you're feeling miserable.
posted by zachlipton at 1:59 PM on June 18