Hospital Pharmacy Ripoffs

[deadman]

hi there

I'm very happy with healthcare in BKK, apart from the exhorbitant prices charged for medications at hospitals. Last week i saw a specialist and had X-rays, the price being a very reasonable 1600B, he prescribed anti inflamatries and muscle relaxants which were an outrageous 1500B, as mush as the consultation itself. Needless to say i declined them, and got some from a local pharmacy, 200B!! Sometimes i wonder if the doctor get a % of the meds he prescribes.

Ordinarily i'm reluctant to make an issue of such things, but after walking out of bummers once haven paid 900B for a bottle of vitamins, i vowed i'd be more cautious next time.

My question is, assuming the meds are not prohibited (a prescription needed) can a patient request a copy of the medications? Has anyone done this? My guess is that its against hospital policy.

cheers

DM

[lopburi3]

Your post seems to indicate you may not have purchased the same medications as you would have received at the hospital so would make the 1,500 to 200 baht difference suspect?

Although they will likely be more costly than drug store there is not normally that much difference in my experience. Hospitals prefer doctors prescribe the medications they sell (safety being an issue but likely less than profit) but don't believe there is a payment system in place. In my case one doctor has me on medications not even available at the hospital I use and other always asks before prescribing. So yes they should advise you names/amounts if you ask. But be aware finding less used medications can be a real issue as some can only be provided by a hospital and some new medications are not available to drug stores.