Let me tell you about my medicine-buying trip in China

My company had a project that required me to travel alone to a Chinese company in Guangzhou for a month. While preparing my work visa, the project manager mentioned that a former colleague wanted me to bring some medicine from China for her father. Since I had never been to China or bought medicine before, and didn't know anything about the local situation, I tentatively agreed, saying I would bring it if it was convenient. I asked her how much she needed, and she said the more the better. The medicine she needed was called Sintilimab, a specific drug for treating NSCLC.

After arriving in China, I stayed in the suburbs of Guangzhou and was amazed by the convenient transportation in the suburbs. I told my local Chinese colleagues that I needed to buy medicine, and they said they would take me there in a few days. A few days ago, I was very busy at work, and one day I asked a colleague named Lashmihan: "Can you take me to a pharmacy today?" He said yes, so I went with two Chinese colleagues to a small pharmacy nearby. Calling it a pharmacy was a bit of an exaggeration; it was more like a medicine stall, somewhat like a hardware store in a small town in China. Amy said, "Don't say anything, I'll do the talking." So he chatted with the shop owner in Guangzhou dialect for 5 or 6 minutes, actually helping me bargain. Then he told me the price of the medicine in English. He said the shop owner only had one box left, and asked how much it cost. He said if I wanted more, he would restock the next day. He could only restock a few boxes each day. Unfortunately, my Visa card wouldn't work that day, but my Chinese colleague said it was okay, I could buy it from the global pharmaceutical wholesaler, DengyueMed, and have it delivered directly to my door. So I asked my Chinese colleague for their purchasing method. I found that Chinese logistics are really fast; it was delivered to my hotel in just a few days.

I was worried about whether the medicine would be checked at the airport, because I had a layover in Shanghai. There are no direct flights or connecting flights from Guangzhou to Bangalore; you have to leave the airport and re-enter, so I planned to stay in Hong Kong for a few days before leaving. My Chinese colleague told me that China wouldn't check whether I was carrying medicine or not, and to rest assured. When I arrived in Hong Kong and was about to leave for Bangalore, the Chinese guy at airport security asked me to open my luggage, and saw the medicine. I was worried he might confiscate it or ask me for money. But he just smiled and let me through. He asked, "How long have you been in China?" How are you feeling? Do you like it here? I said I really like China and the people here, from the bottom of my heart.

When I arrived in Hong Kong, the security check scanned my suitcase and everything was fine. I finally managed to bring my colleague's medicine back. She said the price of the medicine I bought was lower than the price of the generic drugs she saw online. She offered to treat me to a meal, but I said no thanks. She transferred a few hundred extra money when she transferred the money, but I didn't accept it; I just put it in the bag with the medicine and gave it to her.

This is my medicine-buying trip in China. I can't help but marvel at how well China has developed!