Finding Good Reliable Generic Drugs in Thailand

[kingofallasians]

Where can I go to find the cheapest generic drugs?

 

I bought a supply in Cambodia but the generics are made in Pakistan and it kind of makes me afraid.

 

I need Lexapro.

[IvorBiggun2]

Why Lexapro? What's wrong with sertraline? Available at government hospitals on prescription. 

[Sheryl]

21 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Why Lexapro? What's wrong with sertraline? Available at government hospitals on prescription. 

Both are available at pharmacies without prescription. But they are different drugs, and not interchangeable.

 

@kingofallasians there are at least 2 Thai made generic equivalents to Lexaoro,  brand names  Esopam and  Escipam. Any large Thai pharmacy should have.  Where in Thailand are you located? 

 

[newbee2022]

17 hours ago, kingofallasians said:

Where can I go to find the cheapest generic drugs?

 

I bought a supply in Cambodia but the generics are made in Pakistan and it kind of makes me afraid.

 

I need Lexapro.

Most generics are made in India. Or  If you're afraid buy the original which could be counterfeits too.

Thailand got good generics as well.

More reliable safety you get in the EU

[edwardflory]

Register at a THAI MILITARY HOSPITAL.  Get a physical there ( under $10.00 ), discuss your medicine needs with the doctor.

 

When I 1st came here ( 12 years ago } I registered at a Thai MILITARY hospital ( free Hospital I D Card ) and got the EXACT meds I paid ( WITH co-pay ) $63.00 

...A MONTH... in the US.  I paid $21.00 FOR 3 MONTHS SUPPLY at the Army Military Hospital.

 

Check it out to see if a MILITARY hospital it fits your needs.  I pay the same cost for services as Thai civilians using the hospital

 

 

[sandyf]

54 minutes ago, edwardflory said:

I pay the same cost for services as Thai civilians using the hospital

Note unique to military hospitals, I am registered with 5 government hospitals and none charge any more for foreigners.

Some years ago there was talk of dual pricing being introduced in government hospitals but it didn't happen widespread. I only ever heard rumours about one in the Chonburi area.

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, sandyf said:

Note unique to military hospitals, I am registered with 5 government hospitals and none charge any more for foreigners.

Some years ago there was talk of dual pricing being introduced in government hospitals but it didn't happen widespread. I only ever heard rumours about one in the Chonburi area.

There is more than one hospital doing this, but it happens only in areas which see a lot of foreign patients (Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc).

 

Not worth the administrative hassle to set up double tiered pricing otherwise.

[thecyclist]

2 hours ago, sandyf said:

Note unique to military hospitals, I am registered with 5 government hospitals and none charge any more for foreigners.

Some years ago there was talk of dual pricing being introduced in government hospitals but it didn't happen widespread. I only ever heard rumours about one in the Chonburi area.

And, most certainly, also in Rayong. 

[thecyclist]

I found the bigger pharmacies near the central market in Phnom Penh fairly reliable. Never seen anything from Pakistan there, though. 

Lot's from India, Malaysia, and the more expensive stuff from France. 

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

There is more than one hospital doing this, but it happens only in areas which see a lot of foreign patients (Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc).

 

Not worth the administrative hassle to set up double tiered pricing otherwise.

I said  one in my area, I wouldn't know or have little interest in anywhere else.

if you want to say it is widespread elsewhere, feel free but you should have addressed the poster that tried to imply only military hospitals were exempt from dual pricing.

[newbee2022]

11 hours ago, edwardflory said:

Register at a THAI MILITARY HOSPITAL.  Get a physical there ( under $10.00 ), discuss your medicine needs with the doctor.

 

When I 1st came here ( 12 years ago } I registered at a Thai MILITARY hospital ( free Hospital I D Card ) and got the EXACT meds I paid ( WITH co-pay ) $63.00 

...A MONTH... in the US.  I paid $21.00 FOR 3 MONTHS SUPPLY at the Army Military Hospital.

 

Check it out to see if a MILITARY hospital it fits your needs.  I pay the same cost for services as Thai civilians using the hospital

 

 

Where can I go to find the cheapest generic drugs?

That was the question. Where is your answer?

[newbee2022]

8 hours ago, Sheryl said:

There is more than one hospital doing this, but it happens only in areas which see a lot of foreign patients (Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc).

 

Not worth the administrative hassle to set up double tiered pricing otherwise.

Where can I go to find the cheapest generic drugs?

That was the question. Where is your answer?

[kingofallasians]

On 2/19/2025 at 7:29 PM, Sheryl said:

Both are available at pharmacies without prescription. But they are different drugs, and not interchangeable.

 

@kingofallasians there are at least 2 Thai made generic equivalents to Lexaoro,  brand names  Esopam and  Escipam. Any large Thai pharmacy should have.  Where in Thailand are you located? 

 

Bangkok.

[kingofallasians]

12 hours ago, edwardflory said:

Register at a THAI MILITARY HOSPITAL.  Get a physical there ( under $10.00 ), discuss your medicine needs with the doctor.

 

When I 1st came here ( 12 years ago } I registered at a Thai MILITARY hospital ( free Hospital I D Card ) and got the EXACT meds I paid ( WITH co-pay ) $63.00 

...A MONTH... in the US.  I paid $21.00 FOR 3 MONTHS SUPPLY at the Army Military Hospital.

 

Check it out to see if a MILITARY hospital it fits your needs.  I pay the same cost for services as Thai civilians using the hospital

 

 

Are there any around Bangkok?

[Lorry]

2 hours ago, kingofallasians said:

Are there any around Bangkok?

Yes, but not in Soi 81, I am afraid

[Sheryl]

14 hours ago, kingofallasians said:

Bangkok.

 

As previously explained there are Thai generic brands that will be found at any really large Thai pharmacy.

 

Some pharmacies that are especially noted for stocking generics include:

 

Rung Rot Pharmacy, On Nut, right side coming form Sukhumit, about 50 meters down. Should they not have it, there are 2 other pharmcies nearby.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5WCrxiKQsvF6pmrE8

tel 023112720

 

Por Bor Pesat (P.B.) pharmacy on Sukhumvit 71 at the intersection with PetchaburiPattanahkhan Rd.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hQKTdzv6hD9GkAbw9

Tel 0823845025

 

In both cases, little to no English spoken and they may not recognize drug name when spoken by a foreigner, so hand them a piece of paper saying the following in block letters:

 

"Escitalopam

Thai brand (Esopam, Escipam)"

 

If you can get a Thai speaker to call first, may help but can be hard getting through, these pharmacies are very, very busy

 

Whatever you do, do not ask for "Lexapro" as that will result in being given brand name Lexapro.

 

A month's supply will be about 800 baht so still not cheap but half the cost Lexapro

[landosmiles]

20 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Where can I go to find the cheapest generic drugs?

That was the question. Where is your answer?

Based on their comment, I think their answer was military hospitals.

[newbee2022]

4 minutes ago, landosmiles said:

Based on their comment, I think their answer was military hospitals.

If you ask your pharmacist he will have the best knowledge

[Lorry]

16 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

As previously explained there are Thai generic brands that will be found at any really large Thai pharmacy.

 

Some pharmacies that are especially noted for stocking generics include:

 

Rung Rot Pharmacy, On Nut, right side coming form Sukhumit, about 50 meters down. Should they not have it, there are 2 other pharmcies nearby.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5WCrxiKQsvF6pmrE8

tel 023112720

 

Por Bor Pesat (P.B.) pharmacy on Sukhumvit 71 at the intersection with PetchaburiPattanahkhan Rd.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hQKTdzv6hD9GkAbw9

Tel 0823845025

 

In both cases, little to no English spoken and they may not recognize drug name when spoken by a foreigner, so hand them a piece of paper saying the following in block letters:

 

"Escitalopam

Thai brand (Esopam, Escipam)"

 

If you can get a Thai speaker to call first, may help but can be hard getting through, these pharmacies are very, very busy

 

Whatever you do, do not ask for "Lexapro" as that will result in being given brand name Lexapro.

 

A month's supply will be about 800 baht so still not cheap but half the cost Lexapro

Spelling: Escitalopram

 

Better than calling,  ask the pharmacy in line (in Thai, or just write the name of the medicine you want without any other words):

 

@bwc0432c  for Rungrot pharmacy

 

@kmc4655g for Klongton pharmacy,  which is a couple of houses south of PB pharmacy on the same side of Sukhumvit 71 (if you see tops, you have passed it) and has the same prices

 

PB pharmacy is better contacted by phone (preferrably in Thai) 02-314 1394 or 02-314 4394

[edwardflory]

Military Hospital

""Are there any around Bangkok?""

 

NAVY Hospital on same bus route as old immigration office on the river. GOOGLE to find out location or OTHER military hospitals.

 

A friend got the ORIGINAL drug, NOT generic, at the BKK NAVY hospital and said he paid slightly over generic cost. A PHYSICAL cost him $7.00USD.  He has reuped his script at the same hospital several times.

 

I have never had a bad experience OR been over charged at the NAVY hospital in Suttahip, or at the ARMY hospital in Korat - where I now live.

 

 

[jojothai]

22 hours ago, Sheryl said:

little to no English spoken and they may not recognize drug name when spoken by a foreigner, so hand them a piece of paper saying the following in block letters:

 

"Escitalopam

Thai brand (Esopam, Escipam)"

 

Whatever you do, do not ask for "Lexapro" as that will result in being given brand name Lexapro.

 

A month's supply will be about 800 baht so still not cheap but half the cost Lexapro

I see that you appear to be based in Bangkok.
Sheryl has provided some excellent advice.

For Bangkok, call Siam Pharmacy (Phloen Chit) 0837921982.
Its outside Ploenchit BTS. Easy to find and get to. Go out the walkway south east west to the mall and down the escalator. 
Cheapest pharmacy i know. Very busy place. Big stock of many types of meds, some that may not be readily available elsewhere.