Hello,

I've been taking Atripla, the three-in-one pill [sustiva (efavirenz) + Truvada (Emtriva (emtricitabine) and Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)]. Are equivalents to these antiretrovirals available in Thailand?

I know that a generic efavirenz is available, but I don't know about the others. There is also a new generic version of Atripla, Viraday, manufactured in India. I'm wondering if it is available in Thailand. (Also, if anyone knows app. prices, that would be great.)

As a farang, how would I get meds in Thailand? (Can farangs get access to antiretrovirals?) Would I just see a doctor first for a Thai prescription? There are great threads on finding an HIV doctor, so the finding a doctor part would not be a problem.

Many thanks in advance. I'm in a fix now--can't get / afford meds in my home country right now, and I'm currently in TW , where the only way to get meds is to report myself to the authorities--and be immediately deported. I'm hoping to have some luck on a stopover in Thailand. (Or--any other countries in Asia?)

Also, does anyone know about the herbal medicine SH-1, developed in Thailand? Is it available over the counter in pharmacies? It seems you can't yet get it overseas or through the interent. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=36050

Cheers!

If you EVER find out the answers to your questions, PLEASE post them back on ThaiVisa. I am in the same situations as yourself.

One would think there would be a simple website where all the drugs, generic and otherwise, would be listed. But after exhaustive searches, I've found none. It would seem the only real alternative is to GO to a doctor in Thailand, and ask them, which is daunting and a bit embarrassing.

I would like to teach in Thailand, but this endeavor is a pipe dream without steady and reliable access to hiv meds. I'm confident there is a solution, but as with many solutions in Thailand, it involves much resourcefulness.

Thank you and good luck to you!!!!

I'd expect that most modern HIV medicine would be available here in Thailand at reasonable costs.

Hope this document help.

I do beleive that you all know that you can not just change your own medication.

YOu need to discuss with specialist to switch the treament regimen.

The thai governemnt pharmacy have been making generic Anti-retroviral drug under CL ( Compulsary License).

so the meds are very cheap and affordable for most poor thai patients and non-thai citizen.

For example GOPvirs30 should not cost you more than 1700Baht(Max) at any hospital.

If you are paying more than that, you are robbed!

You may get the medication at any thai redcross at cheaper rate, of course with prescription letter.

Good Luck.

Sorry, forgot to attached file as usual!

Imported medication for HIV are also available in most international hospital.

Edited June 29, 201016 yr by PMNL

Correction : GOPvir30 ====> GPOvir30 should not cost you more than 1700 Baht/60's

Edited June 29, 201016 yr by PMNL

PMNL: The list posted above is not exhaustive, there are other HIV drugs also approved for use in Thailand and avialable here. Maybe the list is only the ones manufactured by GPO?

OP, the 3 drugs you mention are all available here, although not as yet in a 3-in-1 forumulation. You can get Truvada (tenofir + emitracibine combo) and then take the efavirenz separately, or take all 3 separately.

As to getting them, has to be through a doctor. The Red Cross runs a clinic that sells ARV at a reduced cost to anyone with a script, and they are substantially less expensive than hospital pharmacies. I've heard EFV there runs about 800-900 baht for 30 tabs (about $25) and Viread about 1400 (about $45), bith about half the cost at a private hospital. Don't know re emitracibine alone nor for the Truvada combo, if they in fact have the latter. As of a year ago they did not, only the larger private hospitals had it (cost about 3000 baht/month or close to $100) but this may have changed.

Yes Sheryl, the list above is the ARV drugs from GPO.

As said, many imported ARV medication are available at most (international)hospitals.

Good Luck.