Getting meds for fish in Taiwan

[fish_sauce]

So, this is the most lame thing I have ever heard. I've been living in Taiwan for two years, and just started to get back into the hobby. I went into the local LFS about 2 months ago for salt. I was informed that salt was a thing of the past, and that they have modern meds that are better. I'm thinking, great, costs $20 (litteraly, American dollars) and not even natural. So, 3 weeks ago, my fish got sick, and I went to look for $20 meds. I was then informed that a new law had passed, requiring you to see a vet for meds. So, I had a conversation with the store employees. Their opinion was that since we have to see the doctor when we are sick, it should be the same for fish. So, they are telling me that one, they aren't capable of diagnosing their own fish. And two, you would be willing to stress your fish out more, by taking it out of its tank, and taking it to a vet, who probably has never even raised fish in his/her entire life, and probably won't even give you something as simple as salt. And since this is Asia, people love to raise Asian Aros here. So what happens if you have a sick 2 foot long aro? Do you drag that thing out of its tank, making it worse than ever? Not to mention, the weather here is sub tropical. In the summertime, I would not want to carry my fish around in a hot, steaming bag. This is the most pathetic thing I have ever heard of in my life. And worse, people here don't think. They don't have their own opinions.