Prescription too expensive

[boson]

Recently moved to Khon Kaen and my local hospital is only able to provide 10 days of my current prescription at a time

 

They advised to find a private hospital, so I found the cheapest one, but they charged me 2800 baht for 3 months supply (10mg diazepam a day)

 

I was previously paying 600 for the same prescription (private)

 

Is there any other options? I've been taking this for 2 years in Thailand and 6 years in my home country

[scorecard]

Have you tried any of the larger local pharmacies?

 

Many openly sell many medicines which are in other country available by prescription only.

[Odysseus123]

I guess there  are sdifferent local rules...

 

My local hospital supplied me with a 90 day Benzodiazepine prescription which costs about 800 baht..

 

I must say that medical care(on an outpatient basis) at this rather modest regional hospital was truly excellent and a great credit to the country-for which I am truly grateful...

[Oxx]

Diazepam is classified P4 by the FDA.  

 

"Sale restricted to Psychotropic Substance Schedule 4 licence Holder. A first grade pharmacist should be on duty. Supply to the public is on prescription only. "

 

You will only be able to get this drug from a hospital, and you are at the mercy of the hospital's pricing scheme.

[Joe Mcseismic]

There are many cut-price pharmacies and they are usually large. Find one where you live. They will have the cheapest price. If it's still too high, you're out of luck.

[Oxx]

1 hour ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

There are many cut-price pharmacies and they are usually large. Find one where you live. They will have the cheapest price. If it's still too high, you're out of luck.

 

As I stated before, this drug is not available from pharmacies.  Its sale requires (a) a prescription, and (b) a specially licensed pharmacist.

[Joe Mcseismic]

Diazepam is just Valium, right? It used to be over-the-counter, but, was changed to prescription about ten to 15 years ago.

Why not go to a doctor for a prescription and you'll be able to buy it at any pharmacy. No special pharmacist needed.

DO NOT buy it from a hospital. Their main income is selling overpriced drugs.

[scorecard]

14 minutes ago, Oxx said:

 

As I stated before, this drug is not available from pharmacies.  Its sale requires (a) a prescription, and (b) a specially licensed pharmacist.

 

Understood, but please be aware that like many things in this country people don't obey the rules.

 

Search around a bit, there's a good chance you'll find a pharmacy which sells what you want.

 

[Nurseynutcase]

I pay 1500 baht for 100 tabs diazepam 10mg from my local pharmacy.  Have checked others out - 200baht for 20 tabs and 300baht for 10 tabs.  It varies greatly.  Do not need a script either.

 

Very, very rarely do I take them - they are for my friend in the UK who has a real hassle to get them and 100 tabs last her a year.

[orchis]

in bigger urban areas they are still over the counter, though that is illegal.

Edited October 5, 2018 by orchis
edit

[boson]

1 hour ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

 

Why not go to a doctor for a prescription and you'll be able to buy it at any pharmacy. No special pharmacist needed.

 

I stated in the op that the hospital will only provide 10 days medicine at a time

 

Maybe i'll try the next closest one and wear a tie

[Joe Mcseismic]

10 minutes ago, boson said:

I stated in the op that the hospital will only provide 10 days medicine at a time

 

Maybe i'll try the next closest one and wear a tie

You stated that the hospital will only give you 10 days supply. There are lots of doctors that don't work in hospitals but, have a private practice. They may only give you 10 days supply, too, but, you won't know until you try.

[claffey]

Count yourself lucky. My monthly prescription is about 8-9k! I will be trying to find it elsewhere next month...Or I will stop taking them..

[lopburi3]

I hope there is a real need for this medication, other than addition (which can be extreme), as my mother lost 40 years of her life to that drug - only in her 80's did a doctor get her off it, by gradual lowering.  She was a totally different/better person without it

[Joe Mcseismic]

5 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

I hope there is a real need for this medication, other than addition (which can be extreme), as my mother lost 40 years of her life to that drug - only in her 80's did a doctor get her off it, by gradual lowering.  She was a totally different/better person without it

My mother was also addicted to them. Same treatment as yours to wean her off them.