Does anybody know if tacrolimus (a widely used immunosuppressant in the West) is approved for use in Thailand and if it's available via the main hospitals? A common brand name is Prograf.

It’s available in some pharmacies.  They might have to order it.  Protopic brand.

It is available in Thailand in 3 brands: Protopic, Advagraf and Prograf. Prescription only and usually need to get it at a hospital. Imported and very expensive.

 

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Right, thanks for the replies, I know it's expensive but at least it's available.

10 hours ago, Sheryl said:

It is available in Thailand in 3 brands: Protopic, Advagraf and Prograf. Prescription only and usually need to get it at a hospital. Imported and very expensive.

 

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Don’t need to get it at a hospital anymore.  They released it from that stipulation about 3 years ago and I have purchased it at pharmacies in both Chiang Mai and Bangkok without a prescription.  It is expensive however at about ฿1800 for a 10g tube  of the 0.1% strength.

I think tacrolimus cream (Protopic) can be bought at a pharmacy. 

Tacrolimus capsules (Prograf) only in a hospital. 

That's the way it is in many countries. 

I think tacrolimus cream (Protopic) can be bought at a pharmacy. 
Tacrolimus capsules (Prograf) only in a hospital. 
That's the way it is in many countries. 

Cotrect. Oral form only at hospitals.

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It's the oral form I'd be interested in. Does anybody living in Thailand  order this sort of expensive medicine online via the cheap Canadian pharmacies? Would you be able to get a prescription for use online off a doctor in a local clinic, or would you have to see a doctor in a hospital? Any idea of the price for such a "private prescription"?

That's import of medicine which is illegal,  as recently stated in another thread. 

And the price of tacrolimus is too high to easily do it under the radar (because of the price,  customs will want duty).

 

You will not get a prescription from a clinic,  anyway. 

 

Travellers can bring in a 30-days supply for their own personal use (should carry the prescription with them)

There are two main types of oral tacrolimus. Prograf and advagraf. Advagraf is a slow release capsule and is taken once a day. Prograf is quick release capsule and is usually taken twice a day. These two capsules are not interchangeable without close supervision and monitoring from an organ transplant specialist. Prograf is available in Cambodia and Thailand. Advagraf as far as I know is not available in Cambodia, I tried to get it and couldn't. I don't know if Advagraf is available in Thailand, some people say here it is but I think they are confusing it with Prograf, the two are not interchangeable. Does anyone know if advagraf tacrolimus is available in Thailand in capsule form. Advagraf tacrolimus is a immune suppressant drug used to stop organ transplant rejection.

 

Stephen  

Yes as previously stated in this thread it is available but only from a hospital. And only large hospital that does significant number of transplants likely to carry it.