(Ritalin) prescription from one hospital good at a different hospital or pharmacy?

[allencraig]

My apologies for a longish post as I think my actual question is very simple. I know this general topic has been covered here before, however it's been a few years so I thought I'd double-check as I'm dealing with the issue right now.

 

Sheryl mentioned in 2016 that Methylphenidate is ONLY available in hospital pharmacies, and ONLY with a prescription from a psychiatrist from THAT hospital.

 

I registered at Ramathibodi as I thought they might be a decent gov't hospital option. Foreigners are directed to their "premium clinic" in a separate building. I was suspicious, but figured it would still be less than a private hospital. (How could it not?) 

 

I can now confirm there's no service difference between Ramathibodi Regular and Ramathibodi Premium. 

 

At the Premium clinic, half a block away, they said the normal wait for a psychiatrist is four months, but the one doctor on staff agreed to see me that afternoon. (One doc x starts work at 1pm = 4 month wait for an appointment.) But they could NOT give me a cost estimate for the consultation as that is "up to the doctor". A chance I'd have to take. After the consultation with the doctor—who I was very happy with—I went to the cashier to learn she wanted to charge me 3000thb for the visit. I got them to drop it to 1000—still high for a gov't hospital. 

 

At the next cashier for the meds, they wanted to charge me 6thb per 10mg pill of Ritalin—no generics or other brands available. I know this isn't horrible, but I've heard that the gov't recommended price is 4thb per 20mg pill.

 

Going back to the doctor again, she said I could bring my prescription to an outside pharmacy and get it filled (presumably for less.) 

So before running around for nothing, I wanted to see if anyone knows this is at all possible in 2020.

 

As always, thanks for any input.

[allencraig]

My mistake, Ramathibodi wanted to charge me just under 12thb per 10mg pill of Ritalin.

[Sheryl]

No it is not possible. Pharmacies do not carry this. Are not allowed to. Only hospital pharmacies can dispense.

[allencraig]

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

No it is not possible. Pharmacies do not carry this. Are not allowed to. Only hospital pharmacies can dispense.

Yes, and only with a prescription for one of that hospital's doctors. Chula's pharmacy clarified this today.

Thanks for the updated input, Sheryl!

 

(And notice to all: Ramathibodi "Premium" can be as expensive for foreigners as the top private hospitals.)