The specialist I'm seeing in Bumrungrad has put me on a new and very expensive medicine, over 21,000 Baht for a 30-day supply. I can get it for around 60% of that price in Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya, and slightly cheaper again in the Fascino pharmacies, so it's expensive but it's not going to break the bank. I noticed that, according to Google's AI, it should only cost between £80 and £100 with a private prescription in the UK, and I'm going back for 5 weeks later this month. Even with a consultation fee and a dispensing fee, it should still be much cheaper than buying it in Thailand.

I asked Google about getting the prescription in the UK and this is where it got confusing. I'm still registered with the NHS but a GP can only write a prescription for a limited number of months ahead. I've been told that 3 months is the maximum in the practice in my home town, and even that is rare. Google also told me that a GP seeing you via an NHS appointment cannot write you a private prescription, which goes against my own experience many years ago seeing a GP about getting anti-malarials for a visit to Cambodia; the NHS regards it as a lifestyle choice so will not give you free drugs, but the GP was very happy to give me a private prescription for Lariam, which was the state of the art at the time. Has that changed now?

I guess the obvious thing to do is to find a private GP service and pay through the nose (£150-200) for a consultation, and hope that they will accept my Thai medical certificate and the fact that I'm actually in possession of the medicine as sufficient evidence to write the prescription for this rather unusual drug. The GP, OTOH, knows my medical history well and is far less likely to be reluctant about writing a prescription.

Also, ideally I'd like to bring back a year's supply, or at least 10 months' worth. Google's AI says no problem, but it's been wrong before. Does anyone know if there's a maximum number of months they can give you on a private prescription?

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has personal experience of getting a private prescription in the UK to bring a decent supply of medicine back to Thailand as it's a lot cheaper in the UK, and could you share your experience and what you learned and any advice you may have? I'm not worried about bringing back a year's supply as I've been doing that every year since 2004.

Thanks.

It may be worth trying some of the UK online pharmacies. Chemist 4U, Pharmacy 4U etc. They ask the relevant questions and depending on which medication is required, refer it to one of their 'GP'. I have sourced medication via this route with no restriction on the amount I was purchasing.

I don't know whether this will ve a viable route for yourself as I don't know just how specialist your medication is.

Hope you get the matter sorted.

It is correct that a UK NHS GP will only prescribe a maximum of 3 months supply of medication (only 1 month for certain controlled drugs). This is both due to the patient's condition being monitored and the efficacy of the actual medication prescribed. Any reputable pharmacy would only dispense a maximum of 3 month supply.

I would not envisage this being any different for a privately issued prescription although there is no legal maximum number of months for a single supply written by a private clinician. You could still encounter a problem though finding a pharmacy who will issue more than 3 month supply regardless of the prescription.

One possible but certainly inconvenient solution could be to see your GP and get a 3 month prescription. You can purchase an annual NHS prescription pre payment certificate for £114.50. You then have the issue of submitting a repeat prescription request every three months although most, if not all GP surgeries accept this request online. You then have the issue of someone collecting the medication and shipping it to you in Thailand. Far from ideal but a possible solution.

1 hour ago, Keeps said:

I don't know whether this will ve a viable route for yourself as I don't know just how specialist your medication is.

It's Rapamune, very specialised indeed, and the AI warned me that private GP's might need quite some convincing about it. Do you happen to know if a private GP has desktop access to your NHS medical history, as that would certainly help?

Edited August 6Aug 6 by Guderian

19 minutes ago, Keeps said:

I would not envisage this being any different for a privately issued prescription although there is no legal maximum number of months for a single supply written by a private clinician. You could still encounter a problem though finding a pharmacy who will issue more than 3 month supply regardless of the prescription.

The AI said it would be no problem, but did advise using an independent pharmacy rather than a chain. Lower dispensing fees and more interest in making a profit than the likes of Boots.

15 minutes ago, Guderian said:

It's Rapamune, very specialised indeed, and the AI warned me that private GP's might need quite some convincing about it. Do you happen to know if a private GP has desktop access to your NHS medical history, as that would certainly help?

A private GP would not automatically have access to your NHS records as they are not linked to the NHS databases. You would need to grant them permission to contact your GP for a copy/summary of your records regarding the particular medical issue.

The other option is to allow them access to your records via the NHS app if you already have it. I have it on my phone but can't remember what information I had to provide to access it. I remember it wasn't too laborious. I suppose it will only be useful if there is adequate information on your UK GP records regarding the medical issue in question. Downloaded it from the usual App store.

I would add, I know nothing about the medication you mention - just trying to answer your general question. I did however notice this:

1. Wholesale and Markup: Branded Rapamune prices can average around £25 per 1mg before dispensing fees and pharmacy markups, whereas generic sirolimus versions are priced much lower (often closer to £3–£4 per 1mg wholesale plus markup). [1]

How does that compare to the prices you are being quoted in Thailand. Is the generic Sirolimus available and a viable option?

1 hour ago, Keeps said:

. I have sourced medication via this route with no restriction on the amount I was purchasing.

Have you "sourced" these direct from the internet company to Thailand or via a UK address?

5 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Have you "sourced" these direct from the internet company to Thailand or via a UK address?

On trips to UK - never sent directly to Thailand.

25 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Is the generic Sirolimus available and a viable option?

No, from what I've been told, it has to be the original branded version, at least for the first year or two.

I did indeed get an online quote from one of the Bangkok suppliers for under 4,000 Baht for a month's supply of a generic, but they couldn't or wouldn't tell me the name of it, which isn't much use.

Given the serious and specialized nature of the medication (and,presumably, your underlying condition) I think it will prove difficult to get a one year supply in the UK. You will also likely run into problems getting an online prescription. I am not sure even your GP would be comfortable prescribing it unless he has a specialist recommendation to do so.

Be aware too that it has become more difficult to receive medications by mail in Thailand and there are increasing reports of parcels being confiscated. It was always technically illegal to receive meds by mail unless one held n FDA license to do so, but in the past customs usually let small parcels through. Ever since they began levying tax on even low value parcels, scrutiny has increased.

While there is no other brand of sirolimus registered in Thailand, there are lower cost brands of the drug tacrolimus (brand name: Tacrograf, made by BerlinPharma) which has similar action and would will surely cost less than Rapamune. Tacrolimus is usually the first line drug used to prevent rejection of kidney transplant, while sirolimus would be used as alternative if tacrolimus produced serious side effects. If you were not previously on tacrolimus, and if treatment is related to a transplant, you might discuss with your doctor whether you could switch. (Do not switch on your own, the drugs are not identicial and many factors go into which is prescribed).

Cancelled.

Edited August 6Aug 6 by Autocan

11 hours ago, Guderian said:

it should only cost between £80 and £100 with a private prescription in the UK, and I'm going back for 5 weeks later this month.

You might want to break for a day or two in India to pick up a generic. Siromus (generic Sirolimus) 1 mg. tablets are INR 637 for a strip of six. That's about 36b/1mg. See mrmed.in.

@Guderian Bumcrap ... 21k ... that's some funny ass sh!t right there.

Contack Medisafe Pharmacy, have brick & motar at Krung Thep, or they will post to you, 55 baht shipping. If in Krung Thep (locations ?), I think free same day delivery, if order early.

One month (30) supply (generic) cost ฿2680

Very trustworthy, (prepayment) and I've ordered from them quite a few times.

I've also bought a year supply of scripts from them. Bringing back to UK may be an issue, as restrictive, if that's your plan.

Online they do via FB Messenger ...

https://www.facebook.com/Medisafe.Pharmacy.Rama4/#

In case someone suggests, these folks don't sell it: MEDTIDE x MEDLINK

21 hours ago, KhunLA said:

@Guderian Bumcrap ... 21k ... that's some funny ass sh!t right there.

Contack Medisafe Pharmacy, have brick & motar at Krung Thep, or they will post to you, 55 baht shipping. If in Krung Thep (locations ?), I think free same day delivery, if order early.

One month (30) supply (generic) cost ฿2680

Very trustworthy, (prepayment) and I've ordered from them quite a few times.

I've also bought a year supply of scripts from them. Bringing back to UK may be an issue, as restrictive, if that's your plan.

Online they do via FB Messenger ...

In case someone suggests, these folks don't sell it: MEDTIDE x MEDLINK

Thanks, but as I said earlier, generic is not an option for the time being.

48 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Thanks, but as I said earlier, generic is not an option for the time being.

You could ask them, who makes the generic, as it might even be Pfizer. I bought a gereric of a med, and on it, stated it was manufactured by the same company, selling the 'name brand' version, Merck, go figure

Nothing wrong with generics, as long as come from reputable maker ...

Apologies, @Guderian , but I have not read every entry on this thread, but it is worth checking if your GP can even write a prescription for the drug you would like.

In UK some drugs (via a prescription) can only be issued by GP's, under the direction of a Consultant and some are "Hospital Only" medications.

It is possible to check these things out, online.

In my limited experience I would say the three month limit is common. However, once prescribed I know I am entitled to reorder my medicines every month for a year....then I need a medical review before the annual allocation is reinstated.

That review will only be carried out face to face, so you have to be in the UK.

On 8/6/2026 at 2:17 PM, Guderian said:

The specialist I'm seeing in Bumrungrad has put me on a new and very expensive medicine, over 21,000 Baht for a 30-day supply. I can get it for around 60% of that price in Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya, and slightly cheaper again in the Fascino pharmacies, so it's expensive but it's not going to break the bank. I noticed that, according to Google's AI, it should only cost between £80 and £100 with a private prescription in the UK, and I'm going back for 5 weeks later this month. Even with a consultation fee and a dispensing fee, it should still be much cheaper than buying it in Thailand.

I asked Google about getting the prescription in the UK and this is where it got confusing. I'm still registered with the NHS but a GP can only write a prescription for a limited number of months ahead. I've been told that 3 months is the maximum in the practice in my home town, and even that is rare. Google also told me that a GP seeing you via an NHS appointment cannot write you a private prescription, which goes against my own experience many years ago seeing a GP about getting anti-malarials for a visit to Cambodia; the NHS regards it as a lifestyle choice so will not give you free drugs, but the GP was very happy to give me a private prescription for Lariam, which was the state of the art at the time. Has that changed now?

I guess the obvious thing to do is to find a private GP service and pay through the nose (£150-200) for a consultation, and hope that they will accept my Thai medical certificate and the fact that I'm actually in possession of the medicine as sufficient evidence to write the prescription for this rather unusual drug. The GP, OTOH, knows my medical history well and is far less likely to be reluctant about writing a prescription.

Also, ideally I'd like to bring back a year's supply, or at least 10 months' worth. Google's AI says no problem, but it's been wrong before. Does anyone know if there's a maximum number of months they can give you on a private prescription?

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Basically, I'm asking if anyone has personal experience of getting a private prescription in the UK to bring a decent supply of medicine back to Thailand as it's a lot cheaper in the UK, and could you share your experience and what you learned and any advice you may have? I'm not worried about bringing back a year's supply as I've been doing that every year since 2004.

Thanks.

Carry private medications into Thailand is no problem. Which dose are you taking. Is it for ED, hypertension or other?

The price in Thai pharmacies for generic can be B150/dose, pretty high for a daily habit. But I doubt you'll find it cheaper in Blighty.

Don't you have an old GP you saw privately? Or a doctor friend? It would be wise to see if tadalafil is cheaper in the UK. Let us know!

On 8/7/2026 at 2:17 AM, Autocan said:

You might want to break for a day or two in India to pick up a generic. Siromus (generic Sirolimus) 1 mg. tablets are INR 637 for a strip of six. That's about 36b/1mg. See mrmed.in.

B50/tab in India. Not a lot of difference to here.

UK prices look considerable cheaper. If you have a friendly local chemists, as them what doctor you could see locally. He may even listen to reason!

46 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

UK prices look considerable cheaper.

No they don't. Here's UK prices:

On 8/6/2026 at 4:17 PM, Keeps said:

Rapamune prices can average around £25 per 1mg before dispensing fees and pharmacy markups, whereas generic sirolimus versions are priced much lower (often closer to £3–£4 per 1mg wholesale plus markup).

Even £3 is about 135b/mg while my previous post re India:

On 8/7/2026 at 2:17 AM, Autocan said:

That's about 36b/1mg. See mrmed.in.

36 vs. 135, lot cheaper in India. Ain't gonna beat India for drugs.

But still UK's affordable. Bumrungrad's extortionate per OP's first post.

Nevertheless, the OP seems to be laboring under the misconception that he can't substitute a generic for a brand name. But that's his problem.

14 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Carry private medications into Thailand is no problem. Which dose are you taking. Is it for ED, hypertension or other?

The price in Thai pharmacies for generic can be B150/dose, pretty high for a daily habit. But I doubt you'll find it cheaper in Blighty.

Don't you have an old GP you saw privately? Or a doctor friend? It would be wise to see if tadalafil is cheaper in the UK. Let us know!

The medication in question is an immunosuppressant, often used to prevent organ rejection after transplant.

There is no genericc version if it in Thailand though there are generic versions of other drugs in same class.

I doubt a GP in UK can/would prescribe it without a specialist consultation. And Uk pharmacies might not carry it, might have to get at a hospital.

If you order something from India then for specialized drugs many suppliers require a prescription or the doctors report prescribing the drug.
It is easy to look on indiamart and contact suppliers, many use whatsapp. Look for a verfied supplier to try.
I have ordered and had supplied to Thailand.
But then at customs here they mostly check such items. Happened to me each time but only done it a few times.
The last time i had delivered recently, at customs i had to show my doctors report prescribing what was classed as a controlled drug and customs accepted it. I just had to pay the tax.

A question for the Brits about private prescriptions back home

If I was you I would try Indiamart they have what ever you need.

I get some of my meds from Indiamart just got some pregabalin 75 in the mail no problem,

the 2773 India rupee is about 960 thai bath

Rapamycin Sirolimus 1Mg Rapamune at ₹ 2773/box

IndiaMART

https://www.indiamart.com › ... › Sirolimus Tablets

Buy Sirolimus Tablets at best price of ₹ 2773/box by Unnati Pharmax. ₹ 2,773 /Box. Packaging Size 30 Tablets. Get Best Price Call Now Looking

Edited August 10Aug 10 by digger70

On 8/6/2026 at 10:51 PM, Sheryl said:

Be aware too that it has become more difficult to receive medications by mail in Thailand and there are increasing reports of parcels being confiscated. It was always technically illegal to receive meds by mail unless one held n FDA license to do so, but in the past customs usually let small parcels through. Ever since they began levying tax on even low value parcels, scrutiny has increased.

Quite. I had been buying apixaban for many years from India without a problem. I had a delivery in january that arrived ok, but the next one in April I received a customs note to go and collect. Customs said they couldn't release it without an FDA stamp and sent me round to the FDA office. The lady there said she would stamp it but not again, they couldn't deal with the public coming to the office. Not surprising, hardly room for the staff in the office far less customers.

I looked into this 10 years ago and was told that less than 3 months for personal use supported by a prescription was not subject to FDA license, which was also the guidelines for airports. The OP would be sticking his neck out to consider bringing a years supply.

On 8/8/2026 at 8:25 AM, MIke B Bad said:

In my limited experience I would say the three month limit is common. However, once prescribed I know I am entitled to reorder my medicines every month for a year....then I need a medical review before the annual allocation is reinstated.

That review will only be carried out face to face, so you have to be in the UK.

If the Thai prescription is 21000 baht for 30 day supply it is still cheaper to fly back to the UK every 90 days and get the UK prescription.

4 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

If the Thai prescription is 21000 baht for 30 day supply it is still cheaper to fly back to the UK every 90 days and get the UK prescription.

I already found for ฿2680 in TH. Brick & mortar shop, or they'll post to you. No need to fly around around.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I already found for ฿2680 in TH. Brick & mortar shop, or they'll post to you. No need to fly around around.

No, you haven't. You found a generic version of Sirolimus that the OP has stated a couple of times he doesn't want.

23 minutes ago, Keeps said:

No, you haven't. You found a generic version of Sirolimus that the OP has stated a couple of times he doesn't want.

I didn't see his earlier (than mine) post, stating he wanted the name brand of the generic, or I would have ask. And may even be make by Pfizer, as I suggested. Oh well. I don't know if he contacted the vendor I suggested to ask them, who makes it.

But I did find the medicine he was looking, just did not ask the name brand. My task was over at that point.

Have a nice night.