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Epidaurus · Treatment Guide · Therapeutic Interventions

Going abroad for —

Medication Availability

Access to medications not approved or available domestically

The country comparison

Which countries are best for medication availability

The destinations ranked high→low under this lens — each with the reasoning behind its score, the cited evidence one click down, and its full report. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

19 / 19 Countries ranked

Researched and assessed by the Epidaurus editorial pipeline against our published scale. A country below the rule is not yet assessed enough — never ranked last.

  1. 1 Spain ES 4.0/5 Good Spain offers good medication availability through EU centralized authorization, with documented access to at least 4 specific drugs unavailable in major origin countries (roxadustat, nalmefene, amisulpride, medical ca... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 8 cited points
    • Roxadustat (Evrenzo) approved by EMA for kidney disease anemia but rejected by FDA, available in Spain since 2021
    • Nalmefene (Selincro) authorized by EMA in 2013 for alcohol dependence but never approved by FDA for this indication
    • Amisulpride approved across EU and Spain for schizophrenia, never submitted to FDA for psychiatric indications despite 50+ country availability
    • Medical cannabis formalized under Royal Decree 903/2025 for chronic pain, chemotherapy nausea, and refractory epilepsy
    • Spain leads EU in clinical trials (930 authorized in 2024, 22% for rare diseases) providing additional experimental medication pathways
    • Over 22,000 licensed pharmacies with mandatory pharmacist oversight and EU-standard quality assurance; PIC/S member with GMP/GDP compliance
    • Established compassionate use framework (RD 1015/2009) providing physician-supervised access to unauthorized medications at no cost to patients
    • Non-EU visitors require local Spanish prescription and 10-day advance AEMPS permit for controlled substances; 3-month supply limit for personal medication

    Read the full Spain report →

  2. 2 Germany DE 3.5/5 Moderate Germany offers moderate-to-good availability of medications unavailable in major origin countries, with seven named specific examples (nabiximols, levosimendag, piritramide, carbetocin, psilocybin compassionate use, m... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Seven named medications available in Germany but unavailable in FDA-approved markets: nabiximols (Sativex), levosimendag (Simdax), piritramide (Dipidolor), carbetocin (Pabal), psilocybin, medical cannabis, vadadustat (Vafseo)
    • 42 documented EMA-exclusive drug approvals (2013–2023) versus 185 FDA-exclusive approvals, creating net disadvantage for American medical tourists who constitute primary medical tourism market
    • Non-EU prescriptions not accepted at German pharmacies; all non-EU patients must consult German physician first, adding cost, complexity, and scheduling barriers
    • World-class regulatory standards (ICH founding member, EU GMP enforcement, zero counterfeit risk) and fastest European drug access timelines (133 days after EMA authorization, 2017–2020)
    • Multiple major academic medical centers with international patient departments (Charité Berlin ranked #1, Heidelberg, LMU Munich) and landmark EU-first psilocybin compassionate use program via BfArM approved July 2025

    Read the full Germany report →

  3. 3 Jordan JO 3.5/5 Moderate Jordan presents a moderate but uneven medication access profile. While it offers established OTC dispensing of antibiotics, insulin, and SSRIs—and excellent oncology access through KHCC with pembrolizumab since 2017—t... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • 7 specific medication categories with access differences identified (antibiotics, sertraline, insulin, pembrolizumab, GLP-1 agents, gabapentin, biosimilars)
    • KHCC oncology infrastructure: 244 NSCLC patients treated with pembrolizumab 2017–2022 with published real-world outcomes; JCI disease-specific cancer accreditation
    • International regulatory recognition: PIC/S membership (November 2025, second Arab nation); ICH Observer status; mandatory pharmaceutical serialization by January 2026
    • Medical tourist access infrastructure: 10 JCI-accredited hospitals with IPDs, 3-month residency extension, established case-by-case import approval for unregistered medications
    • Critical limitation: report explicitly states Jordan offers no 'unique approval pathway advantages' over Western regulators—advantage is mainly OTC dispensing convenience and oncology cost/quality, not access to unavailable medications
    • Documented safety and access barriers: 29.2% of GLP-1 users purchased through informal channels with counterfeit semaglutide/insulin incidents; CNS medications require local Jordanian prescription (foreign prescriptions rejected); no formal compassionate use program

    Read the full Jordan report →

  4. 4 Colombia CO 3.5/5 Moderate Colombia offers good availability of medications not accessible or harder to access in major origin countries (15+ named examples including abortion medications, medical cannabis, rare disease drugs via MVND system, a... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 4 cited points
    • 15+ specific medications available at significantly lower cost or easier access than major origin countries: cyclosporine USD 50/month vs USD 500/month in US (OTC), antibiotics OTC in ~65% of pharmacies vs prescription-required in US, medical cannabis legal with prescription, misoprostol/mifepristone more accessible than many US states, ataluren and burosumab importable via MVND for rare diseases
    • Established medical tourist infrastructure: private consultations USD 10–22 in-person or USD 7–15 via telemedicine; English-speaking physicians in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali; TRT Colombia and Zerenia cannabis clinic specializing in international patients; JCI-accredited hospitals (Santa Fe, Valle del Lili, FOSCAL)
    • MVND (Vital Unavailable Medicines) system enabling importation of unapproved drugs for individual patients in 8–15 business days with ~76% approval rate; 425 medicines on MVND list as of 2024
    • Drug shortage crisis since late 2023 described as 'the most significant barrier for medical tourists with ongoing medication needs,' with shortages of psychiatric medications, epilepsy drugs, chronic-disease therapies, and ADHD medications persisting as of April 2026

    Read the full Colombia report →

  5. 5 Singapore SG 3.5/5 Moderate Singapore offers excellent regulatory infrastructure, Special Access Route for emerging medications, and streamlined access to modern therapeutics including GLP-1s, TRT, and advanced cancer drugs via Project Orbis. Ho... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Equecabtagene autoleucel (FUCASO) NDA accepted January 2025—first country outside China; no FDA/EMA filing yet as of that date
    • Special Access Route enables 14-working-day approval for unregistered medications with no fees, providing access to emerging therapies ahead of local registration
    • Project Orbis participation enables concurrent or near-concurrent approval with FDA/EMA for cancer medications (TALVEY, IMDELLTRA, DATROWAY, RYBREVANT, Tecentriq SC approved 2024-2025)
    • WHO Listed Authority (ML4 maturity, 2026) and ICH member; PIC/S-aligned GMP standards across all facilities
    • Report's explicit assessment: 'offers few medications simply unavailable in the US, UK, or EU—its value proposition lies more in streamlined private-pay access' rather than unique medication availability

    Read the full Singapore report →

  6. 6 United Kingdom GB 3.5/5 Moderate The UK demonstrates world-class regulatory authority (MHRA, full ICH member, 60-110 day IRP approvals) and exceptional private medical infrastructure (Royal Marsden, GOSH International, Cleveland Clinic London), but o... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 8 cited points
    • 5-6 specific medication examples: insulin icodec (approved UK/EU, rejected FDA 2024), ataluren/Translarna (approved UK/EU for Duchenne MD, never FDA-approved), domperidone (UK prescription, never FDA-approved), chloramphenicol eye drops (OTC UK, prescription US), melatonin (POM UK, OTC US)
    • MHRA is full ICH member with International Recognition Procedure enabling 60-110 day approvals based on trusted reference regulators (FDA, EMA, TGA, Health Canada)
    • UK pharmacies do not fill foreign prescriptions; medical tourists must obtain UK private GP consultation (£49-£310) before accessing any prescription medications
    • World-class infrastructure: Royal Marsden Private Care (60,000+ annual patients), Great Ormond Street International Patients Centre, Cleveland Clinic London, The London Clinic, multiple Harley Street specialists with multilingual support
    • Report states: 'The UK is not a primary destination for medication access tourism in the way that countries with looser OTC classifications (e.g., Thailand, Mexico) attract travellers'
    • Orphan drug availability ranking declined from 2nd globally (2013) to 11th (2024)
    • EAMS has provided pre-authorisation access for 1,200+ patients since 2014, but no special medical tourism programme exists
    • Excellent quality assurance: MHRA removed nearly 28 million unauthorised medicine doses; Yellow Card adverse drug reaction system operational since 1964

    Read the full United Kingdom report →

  7. 7 Malaysia MY 3.5/5 Moderate Malaysia provides established access to 9+ specifically named medications unavailable or severely restricted in major origin countries (tramadol, etoricozib, Zolgensma, Soliris, Strensiq, Besremi, checkpoint inhibitor... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 4 cited points
    • 9 specifically named medications with documented access advantages: tramadol (non-controlled unlike UK/Australia), etoricozib (not FDA-approved), Zolgensma (gene therapy), Soliris, Strensiq, Besremi, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, plus informal OTC access to NSAIDs, antibiotics, and hormones
    • Established medical tourist processes: 1-month personal medication allowance documented in Regulation 7, clear requirements for controlled substances, Named Patient Programme with 2-4 week approval, special import pathway for life-threatening conditions
    • Multiple mature healthcare facilities with international services: Prince Court Medical Centre, Gleneagles, Sunway Medical Centre, IHH Healthcare—collectively serve 140-170+ countries with dedicated international patient coordinators and in-house specialty pharmacies
    • Counterfeit and unregistered pharmaceutical crisis: RM 12.76 million counterfeit medicines seized in first half 2023, nationwide study confirms presence of falsified products, enforcement gaps at customs with limited Pharmacy Enforcement Officer authority

    Read the full Malaysia report →

  8. 8 Brazil BR 3.0/5 Moderate Brazil presents moderate medication availability advantages centered on OTC classification differences (dipyrone, erectile dysfunction medications), medical cannabis access, and an accelerated rare disease approval pa... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • Dipyrone (metamizole) is OTC in Brazil but banned by FDA since 1977, with 215+ million doses dispensed annually
    • Sildenafil and tadalafil are available without retained prescriptions in Brazil vs. prescription-required in US/UK/Canada
    • Brazil's RDC 205 rare disease pathway reduced approval time from 448 to 246 days; 124 medications approved 2017-2025; orphan drug FDA-ANVISA gap reduced fourfold
    • Medical cannabis: 582 products authorized for patient import as of 2024; February 2026 regulations authorize compounding pharmacy dispensing and domestic cultivation
    • ANVISA is ICH member (2016), PAHO NRAr-designated, and PIC/S member with internationally recognized GMP standards
    • Multiple JCI-accredited hospitals (Albert Einstein, Sírio-Libanês) maintain International Patient Centers with medication coordination services
    • Study 2008-2023: ANVISA approved zero oncology drugs that FDA and EMA had not approved; median approval lag 558 days after FDA

    Read the full Brazil report →

  9. 9 Poland PL 3.0/5 Moderate Poland provides moderate medication availability advantages primarily through EU membership and access to EMA-approved drugs unavailable in North America or Australia (6 specific examples: vernakalant, tiratricol, azt... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Six specific medications available in Poland but not in major origin countries: vernakalant (IV antiarrhythmic, EMA 2010 vs. FDA declined 2008/2019), tiratricol for MCT8 deficiency (EMA Feb 2025, FDA PDUFA Sept 2026), aztreonam-avibactam for MDR infections (EMA Mar 2024, not FDA-approved), butamirate cough suppressant (EU approved, not marketed in US/Canada), medical cannabis (prescription-accessible since 2017), and OTC codeine/paracetamol combinations
    • Poland lacks formal compassionate use program; instead relies on case-by-case ministerial 'targeted import' decisions that are slow and unpredictable, unsuitable for short-term medical tourists seeking pre-approval access to investigational medications
    • Non-EU prescriptions (US, Canada, Australia, UK post-Brexit) are not recognized by Polish pharmacies; foreign patients must consult Polish physician first to obtain locally-issued prescription, adding friction and cost compared to countries with established medical-tourism prescription bridges
    • Robust pharmacy infrastructure with approximately 15,000 licensed community pharmacies, EU-standard cold chain for biologics, and strong quality assurance with no counterfeits detected in licensed supply chain under GIF supervision
    • Clear legal framework with documented quantity limits (5 packages non-controlled, 90-day supply for controlled substances with travel authorization) and export provisions, though with restrictions on non-EU prescription recognition and November 2024 tightening requiring in-person consultations for controlled substances

    Read the full Poland report →

  10. 10 Israel IL 3.0/5 Moderate Israel offers moderate medication availability advantages for medical tourists, with documented access to compassionate use investigational drugs (3,284 treatments 2020-2024), CAR-T cell therapy with 10-12 day manufac... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 4 cited points
    • Israel's Pharmaceutical Division requires prior FDA/EMA/recognized authority approval for drug registration, preventing access to medications uniquely approved in Israel but unavailable in major origin countries (Process of drug registration in Israel - PMC - 2023)
    • Compassionate use program delivered 3,284 treatments using 596 distinct products 2020-2024; 60% of most-frequently used investigational drugs subsequently incorporated into national health basket (Trends in compassionate use of medicinal products: Israel 2020-2024 - PMC - 2025)
    • Sheba Medical Center's CAR-T program: 300+ patients treated with 10-12 day on-site manufacturing turnaround, explicitly offering international patient services with pharmaceutical home delivery (CAR T-Cell Therapy at Sheba Medical Center - Sheba Online - 2025)
    • Foreign prescriptions carry zero legal standing at Israeli pharmacies; medical tourists must consult Israeli-licensed physicians before accessing any prescription medication (Drug Prescriptions & Refills in Israel - Tel Aviv Doctor - 2024)

    Read the full Israel report →

  11. 11 Turkey TR 3.0/5 Moderate Turkey offers moderate availability of medications not accessible in major origin countries, with 10+ specific examples including nusinersen (SMA, third worldwide approval), eculizumab (PNH), and cancer immunotherapie... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 9 cited points
    • 71 of 105 EMA-designated orphan drugs available in Turkey (23 licensed, 48 unlicensed), with 17 licensed and 17 unlicensed products covered by reimbursement
    • Turkey granted third-country approval worldwide after US and Germany for nusinersen (SMA), providing treatment to 593 patients under reimbursement coverage despite unit price of 90,000 euros
    • Named specific cancer immunotherapies available: nivolumab, pembrolizumab, durvalumab, atezolizumab; orphan drugs including eculizumab, galsulfase, elosulfase, idursulfase, defibrotide, alglucosidase alfa
    • World-leading ITS pharmaceutical tracking system is first and only full control pharmaceutical track and trace system in the world, successfully fighting counterfeit medicines and preventing reimbursement fraud
    • 28 JCI-accredited hospitals across 14 cities through MedicalPark Hospitals Group serving 6+ million patients annually with dedicated International Patient Centers
    • MBFA system served approximately 85,000 patients in 2017 with unlicensed or non-marketed medicines costing $520 million (7.5% of pharmaceutical expenditure)
    • Foreign prescriptions not accepted in Turkish pharmacies; British prescriptions require liaison with Turkish hospitals to arrange equivalent Turkish prescriptions
    • Compassionate use program has approved only ~20 pharmaceuticals to date; access often requires legal action on patient-by-patient basis rather than standardized procedures
    • Approval timelines 50% longer than FDA or EMA; fixed exchange rate system (1 Euro=17.6 TL vs. actual 1 Euro=34.7 TL) caused medication prices to effectively triple and many drugs withdrawn

    Read the full Turkey report →

  12. 12 Thailand TH 3.0/5 Moderate Thailand demonstrates moderate medication availability advantages for medical tourists, centered primarily on cost savings and accessibility rather than access to truly unavailable medications. The country identifies ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Thailand does not offer significant advantages for accessing novel medications unavailable in Western countries; Thai FDA follows US and European approval processes
    • Four to seven specific examples of medication category differences: OTC access to prescription-only antibiotics (Penicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Bactrim), Premarin without prescription, domestically produced biologics HERDARA and IMCRANIB 100, biosimilars
    • Established medical tourism infrastructure through Bumrungrad International Hospital with medication tourism program, clear import/export regulations (30-day personal use, 90-day for controlled substances with advance permits)
    • Over 11,000 licensed pharmacies with English-speaking staff providing robust standard pharmacy infrastructure
    • 8.5% substandard medicines market rate with counterfeit concerns; however, mandatory 2-year Safety Monitoring Program and GMP compliance through PIC/S provide basic quality assurance

    Read the full Thailand report →

  13. 13 United Arab Emirates AE 2.5/5 Moderate The UAE has 7-8 specific medications available (Wegovy oral, GLP-1 agents, olaparib, checkpoint inhibitors, oral testosterone undecanoate) and a documented named-patient importation pathway (5-15 business days). Howev... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Named-patient pathway administered by EDE provides access to unregistered FDA/EMA-labeled medications with 5-15 business day approval for routine cases at facilities including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, American Hospital Dubai, and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
    • ADHD medications (methylphenidate, amphetamines, lisdexamfetamine) are classified as narcotics and effectively unavailable; travelers carrying them face detention and criminal proceedings
    • Tramadol banned without special Ministry of Health authorization; codeine is Schedule 2 controlled substance requiring eDrug permits 21 days in advance; benzodiazepines require controlled-substance permits—all more restrictive than US/UK/Canada/Australia
    • Specific medications available: Wegovy oral (approved June 2026), all major GLP-1 agents (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Rybelsus, Saxenda), olaparib (PARP inhibitor), checkpoint inhibitors (lung, bladder, liver, breast, sarcoma cancers), oral testosterone undecanoate
    • Report explicitly concludes the UAE is 'not a meaningful destination' for medical tourists seeking unavailable medications and that the UAE is 'actually less accessible than most Western countries for several important medication categories'

    Read the full United Arab Emirates report →

  14. 14 Hungary HU 2.5/5 Moderate Hungary has 2-3 specific medication examples (trimetazidine, piracetam, and a general category of EMA-exclusive drugs) but falls short of the 4-7 needed for a Moderate score. Severe pharmaceutical shortages affecting ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Only 2 specifically named medications with documented non-availability in major origin countries: trimetazidine (Vastarel, EU-approved but FDA-declined) and piracetam (OTC in Hungary since 2020, never FDA-approved as drug)
    • Over 14,000 types of pharmaceuticals reported unavailable in Hungarian pharmacies, including critical oncology agents (bleomycin, carboplatin, cisplatin, methotrexate)
    • Hungary reimburses only 40% of novel cancer medicine indications with median 37-month reimbursement delay—longest in Central Europe
    • No dedicated programs exist for international patients seeking unavailable medications; non-EU patients must consult local Hungarian physicians (€20–289) before accessing prescription medications
    • Hungary's regulatory authority (NNGYK) recognized as WHO Listed Authority (May 2024); closed distribution chain with zero counterfeit drugs documented

    Read the full Hungary report →

  15. 15 Mexico MX 2.0/5 Poor Mexico provides limited availability of medications not accessible in major origin countries, with fewer than 3 specific confirmed examples. While the country offers substantial cost savings on FDA-approved medication... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Mexico lags the U.S. in approving newly developed drugs despite FDA approval, with approval timelines up to 240 days for new molecules
    • CAR-T cell therapy explicitly not available in Mexico; Mexican patients travel to the U.S. to access this cutting-edge treatment
    • Widespread counterfeit medication problem with 71% of tested pills in tourist-area pharmacies containing wrong/dangerous substances
    • Foreign prescriptions not accepted; medical tourists must obtain new prescriptions from Mexican physicians
    • Primary value proposition for medical tourists is cost savings on same FDA-approved medications, not access to unavailable drugs

    Read the full Mexico report →

  16. 16 South Korea KR 2.0/5 Poor South Korea offers no documented advantage in medication availability for medical tourists. Research found zero examples of medications available and accessible in South Korea but unavailable in major origin countries... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Zero documented examples of medications available in South Korea but unavailable in major origin countries (US, Canada, UK, Australia, EU)
    • South Korea displays 1-2 year drug lag with approval timelines actually increasing from 276 days (2011) to 353 days (2020) while other major regulatory authorities reduced their review times
    • Narcotics-containing medications strictly prohibited from import even with valid prescriptions; foreign prescriptions cannot be filled at Korean pharmacies
    • Only 3-month supply of non-controlled medications permitted for medical tourists; significant export restrictions prevent taking medications home to origin countries
    • Medical tourism to South Korea (3.9 million cumulative as of 2023) driven by cosmetic surgery, cancer treatment quality, and cost—not medication availability advantages

    Read the full South Korea report →

  17. 17 Japan JP 2.0/5 Poor While Japan maintains excellent pharmaceutical infrastructure and internationally recognized regulatory standards, it presents no meaningful advantage for medical tourists seeking medications unavailable in their home... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • 44.2% of US-approved drugs (2005-2022) remain unapproved in Japan; 78 of 243 US orphan drugs had not initiated Japanese development by 2022—inverted advantage for Western medical tourists
    • Only 3-5 documented Sakigake first-in-world/unique advantages: bemdaneprocel (Parkinson's, Dec 2025), MCO-010 optogenetic gene therapy (Jan 2026), gilteritinib (AML), loxoprofen OTC—far below rubric thresholds
    • Foreign prescriptions non-recognized; all visitors must establish new care with Japanese physicians; full out-of-pocket costs for uninsured medical tourists
    • Amphetamine-class medications categorically banned under Stimulants Control Act; ADHD medication shortage limits alternatives
    • Excellent pharmacy infrastructure (62,400 licensed pharmacies, 49 per 100,000 inhabitants) and strong quality assurance (GMP standards, all-case post-marketing surveillance, PIC/S member since 2014)

    Read the full Japan report →

  18. 18 India IN 2.0/5 Poor India does not offer significant medication availability advantages for drugs unavailable in major origin countries. The regulatory environment follows rather than precedes Western approvals, severely limiting access ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 4 cited points
    • India typically waits for approvals from stringent regulatory authorities before granting domestic approval, providing no approval speed advantage for unavailable medications
    • Only 3 cancer immunotherapy drugs approved (Opdivo, Keytruda, TelCentris) compared to dozens in the US and EU
    • Only 9 of 279 repurposed orphan drugs classified as easily accessible despite India manufacturing all 450 active pharmaceutical ingredients for orphan drugs
    • Studies documented 12% of drug samples from Delhi and 5% from Chennai were substandard quality

    Read the full India report →

  19. 19 United States US 2.0/5 Poor The United States has only 3 specifically named US-exclusive medications (tirzepatide, ubrogepant, ategepant) and offers severe barriers for medical tourists seeking medication access. Despite faster FDA drug approval... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Only 3 named US-exclusive drugs identified: tirzepatide (diabetes), ubrogepant (migraines), ategepant (migraines)
    • Most U.S. states do not allow pharmacies to fill foreign prescriptions directly; foreign visitors must establish care with U.S. physicians licensed to prescribe in-country
    • FDA approves drugs median 227 days before EMA, but this advantage is temporary—most drugs reach European markets within months; 57% of new drugs launched 2018-2022 were available in both U.S. and other countries
    • Report explicitly states U.S. is a source of OUTBOUND medication tourism (Americans purchasing drugs abroad) rather than an inbound destination for international medication access
    • Expanded Access and Right to Try programs (99% approval rate for U.S. residents) are designed primarily for U.S. residents and do not specifically facilitate access for international medical tourists

    Read the full United States report →

Reading the field

What separates a good programme from a dangerous one

Every country above is graded against this published scale — the same 1–5 rubric for medication availability, top to bottom. How we score →

  1. 5/5 Excellent

    Extensive availability of medications not accessible in major origin countries, including 15+ specific examples of unavailable drugs across multiple therapeutic categories. Well-established regulatory pathways for medical tourist access with clear documentation processes. Multiple specialized facilities offering access to restricted medications. Robust pharmacy infrastructure supporting complex medication needs. Strong quality assurance and safety oversight. Clear legal framework supporting medication access for temporary visitors with reasonable quantity limits and export provisions.

  2. 4/5 Good

    Good availability of medications not accessible in major origin countries, with 8-14 specific examples across several therapeutic categories. Established processes for medical tourists to access medications with some documentation requirements. Several healthcare facilities experienced in providing restricted medications. Adequate pharmacy infrastructure with some specialized capabilities. Reasonable quality controls and safety measures. Generally supportive legal framework with some restrictions or bureaucratic requirements.

  3. 3/5 Moderate

    Moderate availability of medications not accessible in major origin countries, with 4-7 specific examples in limited therapeutic areas. Basic processes exist for medical tourist access but may be complex or inconsistent. Few facilities specializing in restricted medication access. Standard pharmacy infrastructure with limited specialized capabilities. Basic quality controls meeting minimum international standards. Legal framework permits access but with significant restrictions or unclear procedures.

  4. 2/5 Poor

    Limited availability of medications not accessible in major origin countries, with 1-3 specific examples. Unclear or restrictive processes for medical tourist access. Very few facilities able to provide specialized medications. Basic pharmacy infrastructure with potential gaps. Questionable quality assurance or safety oversight. Legal restrictions significantly limit access for medical tourists or create substantial barriers.

  5. 1/5 Very Poor / Unavailable

    No significant medication availability advantages over major origin countries, or severe restrictions preventing medical tourist access. No clear pathways for accessing medications. Inadequate pharmacy infrastructure. Poor quality controls or safety concerns. Legal framework prohibits or severely restricts medication access for foreign patients.

The reports

The full country reports under this lens

Each destination we have assessed has a full, cited report — the detailed analysis behind its score. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

Clinics & providers

The clinics our research names

Named hospitals, clinics and centres cited across these findings — each carrying the specialties our reports record. Follow one to the reports behind it.

References

The sources behind these assessments

The distinct sources cited across these published reports — every finding carries its own citations; this is the union, each linking back to the reports that lean on it.

  1. Untitled source www.mrmed.in/health-library/health-care/orphan-drugs-rare-diseases Cited in Medication Availability in India
  2. Untitled source www.yakhak.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.17480/psk.2020.64.1.47 Cited in Medication Availability in South Korea
  3. Untitled source advocateturkey.com/2025/07/14/orphan-drugs-and-rare-diseases-legal-and-regulatory-framework-in-turkiye Cited in Medication Availability in Turkey
  4. Untitled source advocateturkey.com/2025/08/14/bringing-medicines-into-turkey-legal-procedures-and-requirements Cited in Medication Availability in Turkey
  5. Untitled source aighospitals.com/international-patients Cited in Medication Availability in India
  6. Untitled source amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/counterfeit-drugs Cited in Medication Availability in United States
  7. Untitled source artemusgroupusa.com/how-to-export-pharmaceutical-products-from-india Cited in Medication Availability in India
  8. Untitled source ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/GO.22.00060 Cited in Medication Availability in India
  9. Untitled source ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.1575 Cited in Medication Availability in United States
  10. Untitled source ashpublications.org/ashclinicalnews/news/3315/The-Geography-of-Drug-Approvals Cited in Medication Availability in United States
  11. Untitled source aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/430a3e61c234f06270b04414e797ad3a/new-drug-availability-launch-timing.pdf Cited in Medication Availability in United States
  12. Untitled source autismfamilytravelguide.com/bringing-medication-thailand Cited in Medication Availability in Thailand
  13. Untitled source autismfamilytravelguide.com/guide-otc-medications-thailand Cited in Medication Availability in Thailand
  14. Untitled source bepls.com/nov_2023/45.pdf Cited in Medication Availability in India
  15. Untitled source blog.oncallinternational.com/travel-assistance-101-how-to-get-a-prescription-filled-when-traveling-abroad Cited in Medication Availability in United States
  16. Untitled source canadianhealthpolicy.com/product/canada-falls-behind-in-new-drug-submissions-compared-with-the-united-states-and-europe Cited in Medication Availability in United States
  17. Untitled source cancerworld.net/patients-in-turkey-sue-reimbursement-price-cancer-drugs Cited in Medication Availability in Turkey
  18. Untitled source cco.amegroups.org/article/view/19036/html Cited in Medication Availability in Thailand
  19. Untitled source cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/medicines/regulatory-systems/wla/wla-summaries/listing_summary_mfds.pdf Cited in Medication Availability in South Korea
  20. Untitled source cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/searo/hsd/edm/csa-thailand-situational-assessment-2015.pdf Cited in Medication Availability in Thailand
  21. Untitled source cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Drugs/New-Drugs Cited in Medication Availability in India
  22. Untitled source cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Home Cited in Medication Availability in India
  23. Untitled source cdscoonline.gov.in/CDSCO/homepage Cited in Medication Availability in India
  24. Untitled source chambers.com/articles/importing-pharmaceuticals-to-the-turkish-market Cited in Medication Availability in Turkey

Explore the source archive →

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