Imported meds.

[malt25]

Hi all  ????  There maybe a more appropriate forum for this topic. If so, Mods, please move .

I've been taking a daily medication for over 24 years. Will be taking until the end. For the past few years have been getting via local Govt hospital. The cost has been increasing lately, like everything else. I'm "considering" looking at trying overseas, online suppliers. The meds have several generic options. My main question. Has anyone purchased meds online ? If so, any issues with customs ? Thanks all.  Mal.

[lopburi3]

Not legal by law but sometimes done for small amounts (often from India).  If customs opens no option for delivery.  Most drugs are quite low priced at government hospitals so would be very cautious if same cheaper elsewhere (although understand some India copies not available here so are a lot cheaper than brand names).

[CharlieH]

MOVED to Health & Medicine

[bradiston]

I buy all my meds from India. Have a trusted supplier. She does charge extra on the postage for customs clearance but I'm not sure how it works. Not had a problem to date.

[Sheryl]

As other posters said it is technically illegal to import medications by mail without a license from the FDA. In practice customs will often allow small shipments through provided s4nt by regular post (not a courier), not a controlled drug and low dollar value. Even then, no guarantee, but will usually arrive.

 

Given that you would have to get multiple shipments (to keep amounts small) the added cost of postage might well exceed any savings -- especially if there ate l8cally made generic equivalents.

 

I suggest before going this route that you post the name of the drug and brand you have been getting to make sure there is not a cheaper alternative right here in Thailand.

[bradiston]

23 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

As other posters said it is technically illegal to import medications by mail without a license from the FDA. In practice customs will often allow small shipments through provided s4nt by regular post (not a courier), not a controlled drug and low dollar value. Even then, no guarantee, but will usually arrive.

 

Given that you would have to get multiple shipments (to keep amounts small) the added cost of postage might well exceed any savings -- especially if there ate l8cally made generic equivalents.

 

I suggest before going this route that you post the name of the drug and brand you have been getting to make sure there is not a cheaper alternative right here in Thailand.

 I did check. Riveroxaban, aka Xarelto, an alternative to Warfarin as a blood thinner. Half the local price on line. I've shown the box and strips and pills to several heart specialists here in Pattaya and they had no problem with it. Obviously they couldn't exactly recommend doing it for a variety of reasons.

 

But you're right about the postage costs. I order stuff for a friend too, to make up one order. My contact is ok taking my strips out of their boxes which reduces the volume and weight considerably. Normally just one small package for a year's supply. I had to collect from my local PO. They sent me to Banglamung first, then back to  Chayapreuk ????. Bit of a schlep.

 

I have a mate who had to go and pick his stuff up at customs, I think in Sri Racha or Laem Chabang maybe. Had to pay 180 THB duty and was warned not to do it again. ????.

[swm59nj]

I would be more concerned if the website you are ordering from is a legitimate supplier.  Some of these places sell counterfeit medicines. 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, bradiston said:

I buy all my meds from India. Have a trusted supplier. She does charge extra on the postage for customs clearance but I'm not sure how it works. Not had a problem to date.

Could you share the link? (Supier). Whilr it is easy to find online Indian  pharmacies one has to consider quality so a recommended source is valuable.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, bradiston said:

 I did check.

I was referring to the OP, @malt25

 

He should name the medication in case there is an inexpensive local alternative. Just because he has been getting at local government hospital does nto mean he has been getting the least expensive brand.

 

(Re Rivaroxaban  which you are on, there is now a local generic called Rivoxan. I don't know the cost but bound to be less than Xarelto)

[bradiston]

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I was referring to the OP, @malt25

 

He should name the medication in case there is an inexpensive local alternative. Just because he has been getting at local government hospital does nto mean he has been getting the least expensive brand.

 

(Re Rivaroxaban  which you are on, there is now a local generic called Rivoxan. I don't know the cost but bound to be less than Xarelto)

I googled Rivoxan and got a lot of insecure links to Thai government websites which told me nothing about it. I followed a variety of other links but got nowhere. So I'm not sure it actually exists. Maybe you have a reliable link. I did read reports a while back about a locally produced alternative but there was never a follow up.

 

20 mg Xarelto is ~90 THB here. I paid ~45 including postage, to my Indian supplier, so I saved 16,425 THB on a year's supply, ie one a day. The other "prescription" over the counter drugs I take are easily and cheaply available here. I don't believe Bayer has released the patent for Rivaroxaban, except maybe to licensed manufacturers. I don't use a website any more with my supplier as we have reached a stage of mutual trust to enable us to communicate and do business via a well known "secure", encrypted, chat app. Trust helps a lot!

 

[bradiston]

8 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Could you share the link? (Supier). Whilr it is easy to find online Indian  pharmacies one has to consider quality so a recommended source is valuable.

Yes, I've cleared it with my supplier, but pm me for the link. I'd post it here but on reflection, that doesn't seem such a clever idea.

 

I've been using this company for a couple of years. I don't want to give out endorsements as everybody is different in their requirements and expectations. As always, YMMV, caveat emptor, and please, be discreet!

[RandiRona]

There are lot of fake medicines online so please beware. Just a little cost ensures that you are buying real stuff. You dont live twice!!

[oobar]

For the past few years, I've been getting all my  meds (generics) from India, at substantial savings.  My experience with the following company has been trouble free.  Query them for any drug, and they will give you a price: 

 

[email protected]

[malt25]

14 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I was referring to the OP, @malt25

 

He should name the medication in case there is an inexpensive local alternative. Just because he has been getting at local government hospital does nto mean he has been getting the least expensive brand.

 

(Re Rivaroxaban  which you are on, there is now a local generic called Rivoxan. I don't know the cost but bound to be less than Xarelto)

Thanks Sheryl. Genuine is Effexor. Currently getting Valosine from local govt hospital.

Cheers.....     Mal.

[malt25]

52 minutes ago, oobar said:

For the past few years, I've been getting all my  meds (generics) from India, at substantial savings.  My experience with the following company has been trouble free.  Query them for any drug, and they will give you a price: 

 

[email protected]

I've sent an email requesting costs & supply info. I'll keep you posted. Thanks.

[DJ54]

You can ask the hospital to order generic

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, DJ54 said:

You can ask the hospital to order generic

He is already getting generic.

[rickudon]

Try local Pharmacies, some may stock it and sell at less than 'online' prices. Prices vary a lot from one to another.

[crouchpeter]

On 7/6/2022 at 2:51 PM, bradiston said:

 I did check. Riveroxaban, aka Xarelto, an alternative to Warfarin as a blood thinner. Half the local price on line. I've shown the box and strips and pills to several heart specialists here in Pattaya and they had no problem with it. Obviously they couldn't exactly recommend doing it for a variety of reasons.

 

But you're right about the postage costs. I order stuff for a friend too, to make up one order. My contact is ok taking my strips out of their boxes which reduces the volume and weight considerably. Normally just one small package for a year's supply. I had to collect from my local PO. They sent me to Banglamung first, then back to  Chayapreuk ????. Bit of a schlep.

 

I have a mate who had to go and pick his stuff up at customs, I think in Sri Racha or Laem Chabang maybe. Had to pay 180 THB duty and was warned not to do it again. ????.

Just got generic Eliquis from India. Sent EMS. No customs duty, took about 1 week. Cost for 3 months supply, about 3,500 baht. Cost in Thailand about 14,000 baht at least.

[bradiston]

5 minutes ago, crouchpeter said:

Just got generic Eliquis from India. Sent EMS. No customs duty, took about 1 week. Cost for 3 months supply, about 3,500 baht. Cost in Thailand about 14,000 baht at least.

Update on my op. My supplier charged the earth for postage and wasn't that cheap when I compared prices. It's well worth shopping around every time you order or reorder.

[Sheryl]

On 7/6/2022 at 7:58 PM, malt25 said:

Thanks Sheryl. Genuine is Effexor. Currently getting Valosine from local govt hospital.

Cheers.....     Mal.

Valosine is just as genuine as Effexor. Just different brand name and locally made rather than imported. 

 

Medication costs have risen recently along with everything else.  Even locally made drugs as the raw material has to be imported.

 

I doubt you will save much buying this online once shipping costs are taken into account and given that you will need multiple small shipments. And there is always risk of customs refusing the shipment. 

 

At the moment Valosine is the only local brand. In time I expect there  will be more which may lower prices through competition. 

[malt25]

7 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Valosine is just as genuine as Effexor. Just different brand name and locally made rather than imported. 

 

Medication costs have risen recently along with everything else.  Even locally made drugs as the raw material has to be imported.

 

I doubt you will save much buying this online once shipping costs are taken into account and given that you will need multiple small shipments. And there is always risk of customs refusing the shipment. 

 

At the moment Valosine is the only local brand. In time I expect there  will be more which may lower prices through competition. 

Thanks for that.