In some countries a prescription may be written that allows for a certain number of refills so the patient doesn't need to visit the doctor to get a new prescription.

 

What the  situation in Thailand?

Thailand does not really have a prescription system as such.

 

Except for narcotics and some psychtropics, almost all medications can be bought over the vounter.

 

Controlled drugs have to be gotten at a hospital or clinic and one would usually have to see a doctor each time to get more.

Once you've had the first lot prescribed by your doctor, you can usually just get the identical thing (or its equivalent by another manufacturer) at your local pharmacy at half the price.

 

 

I've been to two pharmacies to try to buy this product.    Both told me I'd have to go to a hospital to get it.

 

 

OrgLab_June18a-web.pdf

Did the two pharmacies you went to perhaps not have a pharmacist on duty? Go to a big pharmacy.

Hytisone is hydrocortisone 1%. You can buy it in any pharmacy. It is even over the counter in the US. 

I have a renewable script. The Dr can issue it up to 6 months. I just go to the hospital and pick it up 

I agree with Sheryl.

At the expensive private hospital near me, I tell the docs that I self insure.

They usually write down the 'prescription' on a scrap of paper and I take it to the pharmacy. Sometimes it takes a while for the treatment to arrive, but never failed yet.

You need to see a doctor each time (but follow-up visits are much cheaper than the initial consultation that it makes little difference in price).

23 hours ago, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

I've been to two pharmacies to try to buy this product.    Both told me I'd have to go to a hospital to get it.

 

 

 

 

"Go to hospital" is typical response from (untrained) people behind a pharmacy counter when confronted with anything unfamiliar.

 

What you pictured is simply hydrocortisone cream 1%.

 

You were likely not dealing with an actual pharmacist. That, or they thought you wanted specifically this foreign brand.

 

The specific brand you have is not available here, but there are several brands of hydrocortisone cream that are:

• Hytisone
• H-Cort
• HC 1%
• Efficort

Suggest you write down on a piece of papaer "Hydrocortisone cream" and then these brand names beneath it

 

Where in Thailand are you?

 

 

 

As a couple of people have mentioned, the medicine the OP requires is freely available at many pharmacies.

 

I, however, have to visit the hospital every couple of weeks, and pay the doctor's consultation, and then I can only buy it in the hospital pharmacy (not available outside), and I'm talking about mild sleeping medication!

As a general rule to us farangs the hospital gives you enough for 3 months (well that's what I get from the local hospital for blood pressure tablets) my thai wife gets 3 months of menopause drugs and then they ship another 3 months later.

On 5/24/2024 at 6:26 PM, Puccini said:

Did the two pharmacies you went to perhaps not have a pharmacist on duty? Go to a big pharmacy.

Legally now if there is no Pharmacist on duty the shop must close.

On 5/24/2024 at 12:13 PM, mfd101 said:

Once you've had the first lot prescribed by your doctor, you can usually just get the identical thing (or its equivalent by another manufacturer) at your local pharmacy at half the price.

My local Govt Hopital is far cheaper than my local pharmacy.

 

 

thanks for all the replies.    I was able to buy the above at Fascino which is ,I suppose, the largest pharmacy in Pattaya.

On 5/24/2024 at 11:54 AM, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

In some countries a prescription may be written that allows for a certain number of refills so the patient doesn't need to visit the doctor to get a new prescription.

 

What the  situation in Thailand?

Absolutely 

11 hours ago, cracker1 said:

Legally now if there is no Pharmacist on duty the shop must close.

Not quite. They can continue to sell things approved as "non dangerous drugs" (paracetemol etc).

 

And of course in practice this rule is often ignored. Indeed many small pharmacies upcountry  have no pharmacist on staff.

 

White coats are not a reliable  indication.

 

Wherever you live it is worthwhile locating a reasonably large, air- conditioned pharmacy with a "real" pharmacist. Small towns may not have one but provincial capitals will have at least one. 

 

In Pattaya Fascino is good choice. 

22 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

As a couple of people have mentioned, the medicine the OP requires is freely available at many pharmacies.

 

I, however, have to visit the hospital every couple of weeks, and pay the doctor's consultation, and then I can only buy it in the hospital pharmacy (not available outside), and I'm talking about mild sleeping medication!

I am in the same position as you, CanadaSam.  I see a specialist every 6 months for a blood test due to the psoriasis meds that I take.  So, at the same time, I also have the same specialist order 6 months of my sleeping med.  No need for a separate consultation.