I seem to remember a pharmacy that has been mentioned on many threads as being probably the cheapest place to buy meds in Pattaya but doesn't matter how much thread searching I do, I just can't seem to find it ?

Can someone refresh my memory, I beleive it's called something like Farcinio and that it was in Pattaya Nua or Naklua ?

Please let me know the name and location, thanks.

Fascino, Pattaya Nua opposite Tesco Lotus and slightly towards city hall. www.fascino.co.th

Sign up for a members card to get about 5% off their prices.

Thanks guys, found it and ended up paying 700B for meds that normally cost 1100B at normal pharmacies and over 2000B at BPH.

With health supplements such as vitamin pills you can sometimes do better at Watsons on certain products....but overall, with the 5% discount card they're the cheapest.

Note: Prices at the other Fascino store on Pattaya Central Road are usually higher on everything because they on sell from the main store.

Edited April 12, 200818 yr by tropo

I've been using Fascinos for nearly three years, and on average, I spend over 11,000 Baht per month on meds, after the 5 % discount. It is the best deal in town, and if I was to go elsewhere it would cost me more.

However, it saddens me that nearly every time I go there to stock up, I find that they have increased the prices of most meds. It's usually 15 Baht here, and 100 Baht there, depending on the product, but after a while these increases really add up.

I know they are the cheapest in town, and they have everything, and if they don't have it they can usually order it for you, but there is no doubt in my mind that the large influx of farang customers over the past year or so has encouraged them to 'work up' the prices.

Was it ever thus in LOS

All prices are going up considerably in Pattaya the last months, not just meds.

All prices are going up considerably in Pattaya the last months, not just meds.

I wouldn't argue with you there Phil.

But about 3 years ago, Fascino used to be pretty empty most of the time. I don't know how much Thai Visa has had to do with it, but myself, amongst others, have continually advised people to go to Fascino to buy their meds.

These days it is always busy and chock full of farangs. Sometimes I go in there to buy some of my meds - like blood test strips for checking my sugar levels, and the girl tells me that a farang was just in and bought out the entire stock. Now, that's fair enough, although you would have thought they would keep some back for other customers, but the point I am making is that their business has boomed over the last 3 years - mainly from farangs. Yet I can show you my bills, and every time I go there they put a few baht on every med.

I know it's nothing unusual in Thailand, but their business practices do stick in my throat a bit.

Nothing anyone can do about it in a land where consumers have no recourse or protection.

How about the new Fascino at South Pattaya? Are they more expensive?

Edited August 6, 200916 yr by martin.agren

^^ Yup Mobi, as everything else is inching up price wise, so there's no reason pharmaceuticals shouldn't as well. I see where it really hits you hard with such a high monthly requirement though. A much bigger impact on your budget than most others.

I would suggest that some of these foreigners buying in bulk are taking the stuff home where it's more expensive?

Regarding stock control; not a common practice in the Thai retail sector so once again, no need for Fascino to set a precedent. As you said, some tosser bought all the testing strips. I bet he then stopped at the supermarket at the Dolphin roundabout and bought all the bloody Branston Pickle as well!!!

Edited August 6, 200916 yr by NanLaew

I find that shopping around for common medicines can yield beneficial results.

For example; a recent foot survey of eight pharmacies within five minutes walk of each other had a pack of 14 tablets priced at between 80 baht and 120 baht.

That is a 50% difference.

How many of you compare pharmacy prices before purchase?

How many of you compare pharmacy prices before purchase?

dont have the time or the inclination!

Mobi...why dont you order your meds in advance, monthly, then you will not be disappointed and maybe get a discount for a regular order.

less headache!!!!!!!ha ha

Fascino may be cheap for Pattaya, but Bangkok pharmacies are far cheaper.

I need Herbesser 200 Mg tabs. A box of 100 Tabs in Fascino is 2,400 Baht. In the Pharmacy by Soi 4 Sukhumvit, I pay 1,800 Baht. That is 75% the cost of Fascino.

Another place opposite the Regent Intra in Pratunam is also very cheap.

For other things, I go to the Pharmacy next to Tim Bar, opposite Lek Hotel, and get a good discount there. Maybe that is because I have been using her for 10+ years, but other recommend her as well. Usually has Thai versions for a quarter the price of imported versions.

Keep taking the medicine!

Fascino may be cheap for Pattaya, but Bangkok pharmacies are far cheaper.

I need Herbesser 200 Mg tabs. A box of 100 Tabs in Fascino is 2,400 Baht. In the Pharmacy by Soi 4 Sukhumvit, I pay 1,800 Baht. That is 75% the cost of Fascino.

You are doing well, the list price is US$63 for 100 generic diltiazem.

Thanks for the BKK pharmacy tip!

Fsacino's new shop is opposite Wat Chai on South Pattaya Road. They charged me the same as the main branch and gave me a discount card.

They also ordered stuff from th North Pattaya Road branch.

Chas

Fascino may be cheap for Pattaya, but Bangkok pharmacies are far cheaper.

I need Herbesser 200 Mg tabs. A box of 100 Tabs in Fascino is 2,400 Baht. In the Pharmacy by Soi 4 Sukhumvit, I pay 1,800 Baht. That is 75% the cost of Fascino.

You are doing well, the list price is US$63 for 100 generic diltiazem.

Thanks for the BKK pharmacy tip!

With today's FX rates from Bangkok Bank at 33.11 Baht to USD, that makes Fasino's priceat $72.50 (and things are meant to be cheaper in Thailand), but the Bangkok price is cheaper at $54.35

Fasino is not the best prices on medications. I found cheaper at Soi buakhow. Shop around and speaking Thai do help or have your wife or GF buy it for you.

I don't fully trust just any pharmacy in Thailand. I think that with big brand name chains like Boots and Fascino (which I use) your chances of getting COUNTERFEIT medications is greatly reduced. Fake meds are a massive problem in Thailand. They are probably often placebos but if you are counting on a certain med such as a statin med like Lipitor, not getting it can kill you. There is cheap and there is cheap ...

Edited August 10, 200916 yr by Jingthing

I also have a suspicion that generics are not as potent as the branded goods.

I remember once seeing a programme on BBC World about fake medicines made in India. It was very frightening, they could produce the perfect packaging yet the pill inside was just coloured chalk.

In certain cases, eg antibiotics, this could be a matter of life or death.

These Indian couterfeiters are the worst kind of criminal, probably killing tens of thousands of young and elderley people every month, worldwide.

My wife tells me that she buys all my meds, and I take a lot, at "Facino" on North Ptya Rd.. If you ask, they will give you a "discount" card, 10% off, good for some products and not good for others. The card is free but if you lose it they charge you fifty baht for a new one. The cards have a serial number, and the number is in their computer. As you buy products the mumber is entered in the computer and you are awarded "points". They have a selection of "gifts" that are available for points. My wife got a set of towels.....not exciting but bettern' nuthin'. The "gifts" and their point value are on display in the store.

Over all, it's probably the best place in town to buy medications, and they have pretty much everything, including "stuff" for the handicapped.

I also have a suspicion that generics are not as potent as the branded goods.

I was not referring to legit generics or copy meds such as Indian Viagra.

I was referring to fakes. Meds that are sold with the same name brand and packaging as the real thing but with no beneficial ingredients.

These are two totally different issues.

Edited August 11, 200916 yr by Jingthing