Joey M.D.

Sometimes I feel a little bit frustrated that my medical license is not really borderless.  My prescription would not really be recognized outside my own country.  While I understand this because it’s true that I am only licensed in my own country and not outside its borders, it does create a lot of inconveniences for the patient.

I remember several years back when my mom had an eye irritation while she was abroad.  She called me up long distance to ask about it (since I’m aware of her history and I am an ophthalmologist).  I told her my opinion and told her to get a certain eye medication.  However, that particular eye medication was prescription only and even I did give her a prescription via courier, that still would not be recognized.  She had to see a local ophthalmologist for her problem and to get a prescription so that she can buy from a Canadian Pharmacy.  Since she was just a tourist, she had to pay the doctor’s fees out of her own pocket.

I wonder if there is a way that we could sort of “universalize” our licenses.  Of course, it’s not in the sense that we actually practice in another country even if we don’t take their board exams.  I understand that it would be quite impossible for that and it’s reasonable to request that physicians take the local board exams if he/she wants to practice in a certain country.  What I mean is that our prescription might be recognized by pharmacies around the world.  This is especially helpful for patients who travel and who have regular medications that have to be maintained all the time.  Examples for this would be meds for hypertensive or diabetic patients, or patients with glaucoma — these diseases require constant control.  It would be a great help if their medications could be refilled in another country without having to go through seeing a doctor, especially if it’s just for a refill.