Cheap Insulin in Pattaya

[moogradod]

I went to Fascino and they charged me THB 1'090 for ONE PEN of Lantus (making a pack of 5 pens THB 5'450.-- and for Novorapid one pack (5 pens) THB 3'350.-- and for the test strips ACCU-Check (Blue) THB 990.-- for 50 strips.

As I need lots of all this (I am heavily insulin resistent) I urgently need a cheaper solution in Pattaya. Now I have researched TV and the net, and it seems that there are much more cheaper alternatives like "humalog", vailable in BKK at a fraction of the above mentionned price.

But how about Pattaya ?

1. Is there any recommended endocrinologist here ? (Pls. not Bangkok Pattaya Hospital - this is extremely expensive and they charge items that you did never request)
2. And any recommendation of long and short working insulin that might substitute the expensive import Lantus and Novorapid and is much more cheaper but works nearly as well ?

I know I have to see a diabetes specialist first but I am sure a lot of members are diabetic like me and have maybe some experience and see that the insulin cost does not eat up a large fraction of the retirement budget.

Thanks for any hint.

[Sheryl]

Actually, Humalog ( insulin lispro) is not the same as Lantus (insulin glargine). In fact they are quite different as one is long acting and one is short acting. Both are expensive imported brands.

 

Besides Lantus, other brands of insulin gargline in Thailand are:

 

Basalin - imported from China

 

Glaritus - imported from India

 

Either of the above will cost less than Lantus. Suggest you call Fascino and ask them if the carry either of these. 

 

The novorapid is insulin aspart, a rapid and short acting insulin. There is no other brand of insulin aspart  available in Thailand.  However, insulin lispro is virtually identical to insulin aspart in action, which is where the Humalog comes in, but Humalog is only slightly less expensive than Novorapid as it too is a Western import.

 

Test strips are indeed very expensive in Thailand.  Most TV members try to stock up on visits home if possible. In fact, they price you got (990 B for 50) is quite good for Thailand, usually it is more than that.

 

For endocrinologist, BPH is AFAIK the only hospital in Pattaya itself that has any. Dr. Karnsiri there has been favorably recommended by other TV members https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=62&depid=37

 

Otherwise, many TV members in Pattaya with diabetes travel to Bangkok for doctor visits (large choice in Bkk). Or, you can go to the Diabetic clinic at Queen Sirikit Hospital in Satathip - this will be the least expensive option but expect very long waits (all day, for example) and lots of red tape, it is a government hospital. Need to arrive very early morning and should have a Thai speaker with you the first time at least to help navigate through the system.

[moogradod]

Thanks Sheryl !

 

I will have more time than money, so OK to wait at Queen Sirikit Hospital. I have never been to a government hospital either and wonder how it is. In the future I will have no more health insurance, so the gov. hospitals will be my choice then if I need them. Currently I am still insured and everything will be paid but when we definitely move in January 2019 health cost will be more important to me.

 

A real concern are the future running costs - Currently I need 100 I.E. of Lantus or equivalent everyday and approx. 150 I.E. of Novorapid or eqivalent. So every little bit less in quantity (lifestyle - but its practically impossible to avoid all the sugar relevant foods) and price is very much relevant. Insulin + Test strips make up more than 85% of my medicaments budget for Thailand. For eventual hospital care I have a seperate budget.

 

The test strips are more expensive in Switzerland as in Thailand by the way - as are practically all medicaments - exept the Insulin.

 

I need to visit a number of places from endocrinologist to pharmacies and need to undergo some change of habits to cut the Diabetes related costs hopefully by 50%.

 

Thanks again for yopur help. Very much appreciated.

[gessi2000]

Just my thoughts as T1 Diabetics (living in Germany but staying a lot of time in Thailand):

• switched from teststrips to Dexcom G5 (soon Dexcom G6) Continous Glucose Monitoring solution - For teststrips, 100pcs, around 20USD (Freestyle Lite which I was using) on Ebay Germany
  • before I ordered teststrips from Ebay or Amazon where people sell original brand strips for 50-75% less (most of them got paid by their insurance and switch the measuring system so they sell for less. On Amazon cheap measuring systems are available)
• Dexcom G5 is FANTASTIC (measures every 5mins and can be monitored on any Smartphone using 3rd party Apps like "xDrip+")
  • for the G5 the sensors should, officially, last 7 days but can be extended unlimited (as long as you don't loose the plaster) using the 3rd party App xDrip+ on your Android Smartphone
  • for the G5 the transmitter (which has the measruement and Bluetooth enabled) can be recycled with new batteries so can be extended from 90+ days (usually run with xDrip+ up2 130days!!!) unlimited as well (check Google on how to replace the G5 transmitter batteries and there are services around Europe which do that for 20EUR)
  • for the G5 sensors are also available on Ebay for sell so you pay around 100EUR/month for sensors+transmitter when you use xDrip+ and recycle the transmitter
    Ebay Germany - Dexcom G5 sensors

So for measurement you have to pay but it depends what you want. You can get the cheapest teststrips on Ebay Europe and certainly have someone ship or bring those over to Thailand. Measurement systems are anyway for free because the companies want to sell their f*** overpriced teststrips.

If you care about your health then consider looking at rCGM solutions like the Dexcom G5/G6 which makes control and therefore your life much more easy! I have some transmitters around which I do not need because I am covered by insurance but if you want I can provide to you. Transmitters are also available on Ebay Europe.

 

For the insulin I am currently using Fiasp (faster than Novorapid and doesn't require any waiting time before eating after you injected the insulin). I love it!!! However probably hard to get in Thailand but...

Check in which European country (except Germany which has controlled and overpriced medical health care prices) you can buy and bring it over. Also when I was in Abu Dhabi 5 yrs ago I could walk-in to a pharmacy and just buy Novorapid for a few $$$ without any subscription. So when you stopover in Middle East get some ideas.

I would also be thankful for insulin advice because I do not want to switch away from Fiasp anymore!?

 

I am running xDrip with the G5 to measure my BG and then I use AndroidAPS (#wearenotwaiting) on my Android to run a Closed Loop solution with the Dana-RS insulin pump which works awsome. My Hba1c is around 5.5-6.0 and 95%+ of the measured BG levels are in within my target of 70-150mg/Dl!!! But this requires an insulin pump as well of course.

Lots of communities around Facebook and the Web if you are interested and it works (!!!!!!!!)

 

Also check other European countries, except Germany which is most expensive in pharmacies as they still hold rights to sell health products), like Poland to check local prices.

Edited October 19, 2018 by gessi2000

[lopburi3]

You might want to try the much cheaper meters/test strips from China.  

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Electronic-Thermometer-Sinocare-Safe-Accu-Blood-Glucose-Meter-100-Test-Strips-Lancets-Exact-Glucometer/32903694376.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10065_10068_204_318_319_10059_10884_323_10887_100031_10696_450_320_10084_10083_10103_452_10618_535_534_10307_533_532_448_449,searchweb201603_2,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=f929ae43-304a-4f67-b1e6-955efcf906a6-11&algo_pvid=f929ae43-304a-4f67-b1e6-955efcf906a6&transAbTest=ae803_5

[gessi2000]

Anyone can recommend logistics for Insulin with some prices?

 

I also currently on Fiasp from Novo Nordisk but I think this is not available within Thailand.

 

Considering to look into Indian pharmacies or so...

[Sheryl]

Fiasp is insulin aspart.

 

Please see the information in post 2 and price given in post 1.  The only brand of insulin aspart here is Novorapid, costs about THB 3,350 for 5 prefilled pens.

[Bill Miller]

In February I was admitted to the provincial hospital in Mai La Noi with a blood glucose reading of 477. I was "rationing" my existing supply of Mixtard 30, which the good folks at Queen Sirikit had changed me over to from my previous regimen of a combo therapy of Humulin N and R. A base dose of N in the morning, and a sliding scale dose of Humulin R based on three times daily test results.
I do not know what they were charging me for the cartridges at Queen Sirikit (Sattahip) , but it was not too much. My Thai "factotum" was not able to figure the price from the invoice for me, as they are not big on itemizing, and on subsequent appointments I kept forgetting to ask her to ask for me. They gave me the refillable pen at no charge.
Fast forward to this past February and hospital admission. I had miscalculated the number of cartridges to bring, and was running low, so thought I could get away for a few days by "rationing", which had worked for me in the past. A bit high blood sugar for a few days, but nothing alarming. Well, Mixtard is new to me, I am a good bit older now, and had an ischemic stroke a year earlier. Whatever the cause, I started to feel like I would faint, nausea, etc. Checked with one of my dwindling supply of strips, and found quite high rather than what felt like hypoglycemia.
My fiancee and her older sis whistled me in to the ER of the nifty little hospital less than i kilometer away. The lovely young doctor said I was to be admitted and they would titrate a dosage routine for me based on new(more relaxed than I learned at Joslin) guidelines and the new, to me, insulin.
Four days of regular testing and dosage adjustments in a private room, with a bed for my darling, and left with nine cartridges of the Mixtard 30 and a weeks worth of some antihistamine for nasty mosquito bites. The bill was a bit under 8.000 baht, so as I say the insulin must have been pretty cheap. I will find out and report on the exact price next month, as we are moving up that way. This old f&*t if finally getting married when older sis finds a good day for the enterprise. First time for my darling, too, self described "old lady" of 51. ????

[Klaus1]

Hello,

 

im Klaus from Germany and have Diabetes.

 

I take Insulin Humalog and Absalagar.

 

Have to much and can give to someone who need.

 

Im living in Pattaya / Rayong

 

Send me an email

 

Best regards

 

Klaus

 

[ThailandRyan]

Looking for an update on Insulin prices - Lantus specifically.  I usually get back to the US for a 2 week visit every 6 months, see my endocrinologist and FP, and have 2 deliveries, each covering 90 days, made to my house in which my mother lives.  This insulin is delivered by my pharmacy on ice and then the insulin is kept refrigerated.  However, with the recent lockdowns of Thailand, and a next to zero chance of flying back in if I had left when planned this next month May, I have only enough Lantus to last me until the end of June.  

 

Other than going and seeing an endocrinologist here at BNH and getting a new script, do any of the larger pharmacies carry the 5 pen boxes and if so what is the cost.

[Sheryl]

I can't say as to cost but as per post #2 there are less expensive brands of the same thing than Lantus

 

No script is needed, can buy at a pharamcy

[ThailandRyan]

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I can't say as to cost but as per post #2 there are less expensive brands of the same thing than Lantus

 

No script is needed, can buy at a pharamcy

Thank you Sheryl.  Luckily by exercising and eating right I have been able to stop all statin medications as well as BP meds.  My diabetes is in check, but I still take 500 mg of metformin am and pm, with 30 units of Lantus to carry my numbers throughout the night.  I now have an A1C of 5.5 blood sugar averages over the last 60 days is 104.  

 

One Lantus pen lasts 10 days, so I need 3 a month.  I will check with a few pharmacies today as well as setting an appointment at BNH with an endocrinologist.

[moogradod]

Lantus 5 pen box is available at Fascino. The price is around THB 5'000.--.

They do not carry other brands of insulin glargine.

Edited April 30, 2020 by moogradod

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, moogradod said:

Lantus 5 pen box is available at Fascino. The price is around THB 5'000.--.

They do not carry other brands.

Moogradod,

 

Thank you for the information.  Do they require a script, or if I drop in and show them my current box with the script information on it will that work.

[moogradod]

No script needed. You do not even have to show your old box. Just walk in and tell them what you want.

[Sheryl]

As said  insulin in Thailand does not require a presecription

 

Onlt the larger pharmacies tend to carry it, though

[ThailandRyan]

Thank you both.  Although It is a shock to have to pay more than $50 USD for all 3 boxes, which I usually get every quarter, I have chosen to live here and as such need to adjust as other things are lower in cost, so in the end I guess it makes up for it.  Obviously my prescription plan for my US based medical does not work here, and the Pacific Cross HI I have here does not have a prescription benefit, of course I do not believe any plans over here do.

[Sheryl]

The alternative brands already mentioned will cost less.

[ThailandRyan]

5 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

The alternative brands already mentioned will cost less.

True, I just need to run it through either my endocrinologist in the US or one at BNH, to ensure I don't screw myself up as far as the dosage goes.  I don't like to play games with my numbers in order to find a dosage that works. It helps a little to be a certified paramedic still and have some contacts, but a doctor who works with diabetes is the best to have.  I had a regular GP when i was first diagnosed 5 years ago, after a neck surgery where they had to push to many steroids and it shut down my pancreas, and It was always hit and miss.  After 6 months I went to an endocrinologist and after running some tests we got it locked down.  Also reading the book "Think like a Pancreas" also helped in understanding this insidious disease.

 

Take care and be safe.

[moogradod]

7 hours ago, Sheryl said:

The alternative brands already mentioned will cost less.

If anybody is able to buy these alternative brands somewhere I would really be interested to know where (especially around Pattaya) and how much they are. Lantus is the most expensive medicament I buy in Thailand. It is significantly more expensive here than in Switzerland, let alone Germany. Thai medicaments (I know - no insulin manufactured here) are sometimes unbelievably cheap.

Edited April 30, 2020 by moogradod

[lopburi3]

21 minutes ago, moogradod said:

Lantus is the most expensive medicament I buy in Thailand. It is significantly more expensive here than in Switzerland,

Indeed drug prices can be totally insane - some of the cancer drugs are 3,000 baht a pill - but not just in Thailand.

[ThailandRyan]

OK, So after some research I landed at SC Pharmacy in Bangkok, near Silom Road on Rama 4, just down the road from Lumpini Park.  A box of 5 Lantus Solostar Pre filled pens was 3,800 Baht.  A box of 30 tablets of Jardiance 10 mg was 1,850 baht.  Metformin 1000 mg tablets in a box of 30 was 280 Baht.  I also found the Tamsulosin generic of Uroflow for 690 baht for 30 tablets.  Just an update for you, they seem to have just about everything I need, but then I forgot to ask about Vitamin in a 50,000 unit soft gel pill I take once every two weeks, or the Trulicity injectable I use once a week.  Hope everyone is well and I hope this helped you whoever needs to grab medications when in Bangkok....

[lopburi3]

6 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

OK, So after some research I landed at SC Pharmacy in Bangkok, near Silom Road on Rama 4, just down the road from Lumpini Park.  A box of 5 Lantus Solostar Pre filled pens was 3,800 Baht.  A box of 30 tablets of Jardiance 10 mg was 1,850 baht.  Metformin 1000 mg tablets in a box of 30 was 280 Baht.  I also found the Tamsulosin generic of Uroflow for 690 baht for 30 tablets.  Just an update for you, they seem to have just about everything I need, but then I forgot to ask about Vitamin in a 50,000 unit soft gel pill I take once every two weeks, or the Trulicity injectable I use once a week.  Hope everyone is well and I hope this helped you whoever needs to grab medications when in Bangkok....

Believe that is the pharmacy I used when wife at Chula Hospital (right across street).  From what I observed (about 15 years ago) they may have supplied smaller pharmacies as most customers were making large orders and indeed they seemed to have everything.

[moogradod]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

........A box of 5 Lantus Solostar Pre filled pens was 3,800 Baht. 

Thanks, next time I am in BKK I will get some boxes there. This is significantly cheaper than Fascino.

 

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Metformin 1000 mg tablets in a box of 30 was 280 Baht. 

Glucono-500 (500mg Metformin) is only one third (!) of this cost. A pack of 500 tablets of 500mg Metformin each costs only 750 THB. Available at Fascino.

 

Another item that is insanely expensive is Forxiga (dapagliflozin). Any substitute available at a cheaper price ?

Edited May 2, 2020 by moogradod
mentioning of Forxiga

[ThailandRyan]

10 minutes ago, moogradod said:

Thanks, next time I am in BKK I will get some boxes there. This is significantly cheaper than Fascino.

 

Glucono-500 (500mg Metformin) are only one third (!) of this cost. A pack of 500 tablets of 500mg Metformin each costs only 750 THB. Available at Fascino.

Thank you for the info.  I have used Glucophage 1000mg tablets, 1 in the am and 1 in the pm, so I just stayed with what I use.  I have 2 bottles of 1000 mg tablets waiting for me in the states which cost me 150 baht total, each bottle holds 360 Tablets....lol, gotta love prescription drug programs.  In the US I also have 6 boxes now of Lantus in the fridge waiting for me to swing by and bring back. If I can get back in September I will have 9 boxes to bring back.  3 boxes every quarter run me 1500 baht or 50 USD.  So if and when I can get back and then return I will have almost a years worth of stock.  I have now put a stop on my US plan for now as it is foolish to keep adding more to my house in the states when I am here.  I have always brought 6 months of my meds with me at a time.

Edited May 2, 2020 by ThailandRyan

[moogradod]

8 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Thank you for the info.  I have used Glucophage 1000mg tablets, 1 in the am and 1 in the pm, so I just stayed with what I use.

It does not matter if you take one 1000mg tablet or two 500mg tablets. Same thing but probably much much cheaper. Glucophage is BY FAR more expensive than Glucono-500.

[moogradod]

14 minutes ago, moogradod said:

Glucophage is BY FAR more expensive than Glucono-500.

....if you buy it in Thailand I must add....

[ThailandRyan]

15 minutes ago, moogradod said:

....if you buy it in Thailand I must add....

your probably right I bought the Glucophage XR which comes in a 1000 mg tablet, 10 per sheet for 233 baht. I get a large bottle of 360 in the states every 3 months.  Wish my sister could mail that and my jardiance to me.  I pay 50 usd for 90 Jardiance Tabs which is the equivalent of 3 boxes here or about 5400 baht instead of 1500 baht.  However, I do not want to chance the mail getting hung up

Edited May 2, 2020 by ThailandRyan

[ding]

Many have good results with fasting and keto. It worked for me. I was borderline 'diabetes mellitus' Type 2 diabetic, right at the number.

My blood sugar is great now.

 

There are lots of Doctors vids on YouTube.

[Sheryl]

On 5/2/2020 at 8:17 PM, ThailandRyan said:

your probably right I bought the Glucophage XR which comes in a 1000 mg tablet, 10 per sheet for 233 baht. I get a large bottle of 360 in the states every 3 months.  Wish my sister could mail that and my jardiance to me.  I pay 50 usd for 90 Jardiance Tabs which is the equivalent of 3 boxes here or about 5400 baht instead of 1500 baht.  However, I do not want to chance the mail getting hung up

 

As you are on XR formulation then ignore suggestion of taking 2 500 mg tabs as these are not XR.