Bringing Prescription Medicine To Thailand

[omgodess21]

Hi everyone, my boyfriend & I are from Australia & we're currently planning a trip to Thailand in April 08. However, my boyfriend uses these presciption drugs called 'OXYCONTIN' for his lower back pain. He has been using these for a while now as they are they only drugs that seem to work for him, but our problem is we aren't sure if they are legal in Thailand, or if we can purchase them in Thailand. We have tried to contact the royal thai embassy in Canberra but they havent yet returned our emails or phone calls, I got through to an 'operator' who told us that as long as we have a letter from our doctor stating all the important information & that we declare the meds on arrival, that all should be fine. I just wanted to double check with anyone who knows whether or not this was all we had to do in order to bring the meds into the country without any problems.

[lopburi3]

That is a time release formula and does not seem to be available in Thailand. All opiates are very controlled drugs. Believe you should bring only what is needed and clearly marked as prescription.

[geriatrickid]

As per the above with the following granny tangent advice;

Make sure the label hasn't blurred on the original tablet bottle so the details are visible. The suggestion about the letter is an added piece of assurance. If you are wise make a copy. One for you and one in the bag with the pills. Ok, so why the label and an extra copy? Because someone can give you a needless hassle if they can't read the label and are looking for an excuse to be tough. The copy is in case someone takes it at customs and does not return it or you lose it.

As for declaring it, my personal view (and it's only that) is that unless asked, keep your mouth shut. I have never been asked if I was carrying anything.

One small tip, flying can often bring on back pain, but if the patient can avoid medication during the flight, I strongly suggest he tough it out. Flying can make the effect stronger than usual and the last thing you need is to land with your b/f sweating or looking a bit woozy.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

If you want to be certain, send an email to the Ministry of Public Health ( Narcotics Control Division ) Tiwanan Road, Nonthaburi. 66 2 590 7332 email [email protected]

[Sheryl]

Don't declare it and just pass through the Green channel at customs but DO have it in a prescription bottle wioth clear label and also have a doctor's letter summarizing your conmdition and need for the medication with you. This will also be useful should you need medical attention while in country.

Even with the prescription and letter, don't overdo the amount, or it may raise suspicions of intent to sell, which is seriously big trouble.

While in Thailand, only carry the medication in its prescription bottle, don't take out lose tablets when you are going out, there have been cases of people (usually ones acting drunk or stoned) being searched and hassled over having prescription drugs on their person without proof of prescription.

I haven't heard as yet of anyone getting into trouble for prescribed medication for personal use, properly documented and in quantities consistent with personal use.

[omgodess21]

Thanks everyone for giving us all the advice, its certainly a nerve racking situation to be in. Although most people have advised to have all documents available and the original prescribed bottle etc.. we have emailed the narcotics center in Thailand & they emailed this:

Oxycontin SR (Oxycodone) is classified as a narcotic preparation of category II

according to Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979). The Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979)

amended by Narcotics Act B.E.2545 (2002) described “No Person shall

import/export narcotics of category II, unless obtained the license from the

licensing authority for specific cases in government service”. So, we can not

permit anyone to carry drugs containing narcotic of category II into/out of Thailand

for personal medical use. OXYCONTIN IS NOT AVAILALlE in Thailand. For your

condition, you may switch to other medications which indicated for pain. The

preparations of Narcotic drugs are provided in many Thai hospitals and you could

be prescribed those from any Thai doctors. The list of preparations of Narcotic

drugs and hospitals are attached herewith.

We apologize for any inconvenience that may cause.

Best regards,

Narcotics Control Division

Food and Drug Administration

Ministry of Public Health

Tiwanond Road, Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Just to be safe we've decided to look into alternative medication for the duration of our stay. We know that many people have successfully passed the green gate without any problems but it will be our first time over there, and we certainly would like it to all go smoothly & without being thrown into jail

Thanks everyone for your input

[zenna]

it can be tricky to decide how to handle this situation, not least of all because often

times you get different bits of advice from 2 officials that should be on the same page.I

spent hours researching 10 countries in europe a few years back, prior to a trip there so

i know the hassle you are going through.In my experience the advice you have been given is sound -regarding labels and letters-

Nearly every country does require a letter from your doc, but some countries want

prior notification and a signed letter from there own officials etc..

however when it comes to walking through customs it is nearly always a lot simpler

than it looked like it was going to be.Mostly i think because individual customs people

arent up with the rules regarding each individual class of meds.So its easier for them to

not hassle.For the most part i didnt declare, and when i did, it was of no interest to

them.However, every now and then a case does go bad. 3 years ago a woman

coming into dubai, didnt declare her small amount of codeine, she was thrown in jail and

convicted of it.It

is however, very rare to see this happen.

Some countries wont allow any narcotics at all, greece is one.It may interest you to

know that while narcotics are no longer available in chemists in thailand, you can get

some narcotics in cambodia, they are cheap and some are readily available without a

script.Be aware there are a lot of fake pills in cambodia.

Are you aware that in thailand you can buy tramadol over the counter, it is similar

acting to narcotics , but is synthetic.About $10aus for 100 50mg tabs.

As someone has mentioned , you can get narcotics on site in hospitals in thailand.

Whatever you decide i hope it goes well, try not to let it bother the two of you too much,

it nearly always works out easier than we imagine.

[Nignoy]

Absolutely No Problem!!, Traveled to thailand with 3 months supply of this drug plus numerous others that I needed on our 3 month holiday,In the package with our medication was a signed a stamped list from our local GP here in oz, and also a couple of copies with our travel papers, carried it all as hand luggage no problem at all Nignoy

[Beardog]

Never had a problem with any prescriptions including marinol(a maryjane substitute{much stronger) & considered a banned substance in Thailand. Carry your prescription bottle along with any other documents where you picked them up Price-the contadictions sheet. in the U.S. they usually give you a wad of info with your prescription.

Do not declare. Why take a chance. Most of the Thai custom agents don't know how to read latin based named drugs anyway.

And they usually don't have a clue what anything besides what is mfg. here in Thailand.

I come up every year with Vicodin percocet........I wouldn't worry about it.

The price is 1000 baht at a hospital for a fentanyl patch". or Morphine if in serious pain is available & I think a while back someone posted through the hospital you can obtain the oxycodone.

While mid level pain killers are banned the abundance of the heavies & the weak sauce codeine's are readily available.

The heavier drugs are costly so I would bring your own & don't declare. 4 years & 5 times of coming here never been asked what the 12 bottles were.I carry some in my carry on & some in checked in if you have any questionable amt. It would be more an issue in Australia! The only country that ever asked(& ran me thru the ringer) but left me pass thru after keeping my dive light & dive knife in my check ins. (apparently someone is a scuba diver).

I forgot to mention to bring some race books or hot rod magazines for the customs to look at . They love the Nascar books I bring back !

Edited February 2, 2008 by Beardog

[worryer]

Hi all

Does anybody know if there is any difficulty bringing finasteride into Thailand? Going to Thailand for a three week holiday next week for the first time and worried I'll be thrown into prison because I heard Thailand have really strict drug laws. Any help is greatly appreciated

[Sheryl]

The laws refer to pertain to controlled substances -- opiates, ebnzos and thel ike.

Finasteride is sold over the counter in Thailand, no prescription required. No problem at all bringing it in as long as quantiity is consistent with personal use.

If you have to pay for this med at home you might like to buy it here to bring back as there are some inexopensive locally made generic equivalents.