Type I Diabetes

[Barack]

A type I diabetic of 25 years who will be relocating to Bangkok or Chonburi from the USA. I am trying to budget for my health care costs when in Thailand and need to know the costs of Novolin R U100/ml and Novolin NPH U100/ml insulin. These come in 10ml vials. I will be taking a 90 day supply with me from America but later will have to purchase in Thailand. I also inject using U100 syringes and test using One Touch Ultra Test Strips (Blue). They are typically sold in containers of 25 each. Thanks in advance for responses providing the pharmacy location and importantly the COSTS. Thanks!

[Barack]

Since there are no replies let me ask this question.

Has anybody shipped diabetic medicines and supplies from their home country to Thailand using Fedex, DHL, etc.? I could have a family member purchase my meds in USA and sent to me if that is feaseable. Thanks!

[lopburi3]

Not only is anything entering Thailand subject to customs inspection and duty drugs would have to be FDA approved for use in Thailand so probably not a good idea. I can only speak to the One Touch as have such a unit and test strips can be hard to find and may be fake (mine were from a large pharmacy in Bangkok). Very few Thai use self testing and local versions are likely several generations behind those used elsewhere.

Edit: I suspect insulin will be sold at a reasonable price but have no first hand knowledge.

[Lefty]

Since there are no replies let me ask this question.

Has anybody shipped diabetic medicines and supplies from their home country to Thailand using Fedex, DHL, etc.? I could have a family member purchase my meds in USA and sent to me if that is feaseable. Thanks!

In my experience you need to use U.S. POSTAL SERVICE "Priorty mail" service; 4 days from Houston to Thailand. Much better chance of getting thru customs without delay or paying duties.

Lefty

[TerryLH]

Accu Chek AdvantageII = 500baht for 25 strips.

I can't help with the cost of insulin and syringes, but suspect it will be cheaper buying here than having it sent to you.

You should be able to get insulin at any hospital pharmacy, plus larger private pharmacies.

Not sure about your specific brand of insulin. You might want to talk to your doctor about other brands that would suit you just as well.

[bkkmick]

One Touch Ultra are slightly more expensive in Thailand than AccuChek, but I found them much more difficult to find. On the other hand AccuChek seem to be everywhere.

Sorry, type 2 so I can't help on the other costs.

Edited November 30, 2010 by bkkmick

[lopburi3]

AccuChek is the most popular but only the old models which require a good deal of blood. Have never found the current Aviva available here and order from UK by mail for the few wife uses.

[Barack]

Thanks for the replies. Nice to know my test strips will be about 50-60% cheaper than the over the counter price in USA. However, they were free under my old medical plan back home. In America, diabetes treatment is very proactive. I test myself 6 - 8 times per day. My doctor put me on blood pressure and chlolesterol meds years ago even though my readings were in the "normal" range. Diabetics he explained are held to a higher standard. I found this old thread on this forum very useful too:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/80032-diabetes-management-startup/page__hl__insulin

Still can't really get a handle on the insulin costs though. I use U100 and apparently U40 is more prevalent in Thailand.

[TerryLH]

"I test myself 6 - 8 times per day."

Why? Isn't that a bit of overkill?

Mixtard 30 HM, (Insugen 30/70 Biophasic)

made by Biocon.

= 550baht for 100 IU/ML bottle.

10 baht per syringe.

I got these prices off of older receipts. About two years old.

These are prices at a private hospitals pharmacy. I'm sure the cost will be less at a goverment hospital or private pharmacy in town.

Thai SS pays for it, so I usually don't pay attention to what they say the cost is.

Hope that helps a bit.

[bkkmick]

This is the hospital I use: http://www.theptarin.com/en/onepage.php?sub=about

Maybe send them an email directly ([email protected]) asking prices.

[Barack]

"I test myself 6 - 8 times per day."

Why? Isn't that a bit of overkill?

Mixtard 30 HM, (Insugen 30/70 Biophasic)

made by Biocon.

= 550baht for 100 IU/ML bottle.

10 baht per syringe.

I got these prices off of older receipts. About two years old.

These are prices at a private hospitals pharmacy. I'm sure the cost will be less at a goverment hospital or private pharmacy in town.

Thai SS pays for it, so I usually don't pay attention to what they say the cost is.

Hope that helps a bit.

My doctor recommends 6 times and that is my average. Could be more often if I go to gym or am very active. Before and 2 hours after meals, before bed and if I wake up in the middle of the night. I don't have an insulin pump (maybe I should) so I give myself smaller doses more frequently and test frequently to avoid low blood sugars. Must be doing something right as my a1c numbers are below 6.0%

Thanks for the costs breakdown. Very helpful. Hope that costs is for a 10ML bottle which is very reasonable.

[Barack]

This is the hospital I use: http://www.theptarin...e.php?sub=about

Maybe send them an email directly ([email protected]) asking prices.

Not familiar with this hospital. I'll check it out....Thanks!

[JohnC]

I use Fascino for all my meds, I also use google chrome for accessing the internet as it translates Thai pages into English for me, Fascino have a website with a contact form on it so maybe you could e mail your question direct to them ?

http://www.fascino.co.th/newsupdate_med.html

[InterestedObserver]

Humulin 70/30 (100IU/ml) 5 X 3ml Cartridges: 1100 baht at Fascino Pattaya

Novofine 30G (0.3 X8 mm) 100 needles for pen injection system: 700 baht from Fascino Pattaya

OneTouch Ultra supplies readily available from Fascino Pattaya.

[Barack]

Humulin 70/30 (100IU/ml) 5 X 3ml Cartridges: 1100 baht at Fascino Pattaya

Novofine 30G (0.3 X8 mm) 100 needles for pen injection system: 700 baht from Fascino Pattaya

OneTouch Ultra supplies readily available from Fascino Pattaya.

I've seen a Fascino near Rama IV and Saladaeng (Surawongse?) neighborhood. I guess their prices would similar. Good info ...Thanks!

Edited December 8, 2010 by Barack

[Antathome]

"I test myself 6 - 8 times per day."

Why? Isn't that a bit of overkill?

Mixtard 30 HM, (Insugen 30/70 Biophasic)

made by Biocon.

= 550baht for 100 IU/ML bottle.

10 baht per syringe.

I got these prices off of older receipts. About two years old.

These are prices at a private hospitals pharmacy. I'm sure the cost will be less at a goverment hospital or private pharmacy in town.

Thai SS pays for it, so I usually don't pay attention to what they say the cost is.

Hope that helps a bit.

Thanks for that - that is the insulin I use (Type 2, but insulin dependent) - I was going to ask the same question for when I move over. And yes I am also on cholesterol medication (which I don't need) and blood pressure (which I do) - hopefully lots of massage and less stress when I get there

[Antathome]

"I test myself 6 - 8 times per day."

Why? Isn't that a bit of overkill?

Mixtard 30 HM, (Insugen 30/70 Biophasic)

made by Biocon.

= 550baht for 100 IU/ML bottle.

10 baht per syringe.

I got these prices off of older receipts. About two years old.

These are prices at a private hospitals pharmacy. I'm sure the cost will be less at a goverment hospital or private pharmacy in town.

Thai SS pays for it, so I usually don't pay attention to what they say the cost is.

Hope that helps a bit.

Thanks for that - that is the insulin I use (Type 2, but insulin dependent) - I was going to ask the same question for when I move over. And yes I am also on cholesterol medication (which I don't need) and blood pressure (which I do) - hopefully lots of massage and less stress when I get there

Also, looking forward to cheaper Viagra - $A80 for 4 tablets in Australia

[Barack]

Are the home A1C test kits available in Thailand? The kit by Bayer permits 2 tests and costs about 25 USD in the USA.

[diabeticsurvivor]

Are the home A1C test kits available in Thailand? The kit by Bayer permits 2 tests and costs about 25 USD in the USA.

I never heard of home A1C test kits here, I'll look for it during my upcoming trip to the states.

Not familiar with your insulin, my dad is DM Type II so he uses the following:

Lantus (850 THB)

Novorapid (320 THB)

AccuChek Perfoma (somewhat similar to Aviva but I found Aviva is more accurate but Aviva strips aren't available here, tried to get it from Amazon but failed) - 25 strips per box (350-380 THB)

One Touch strips - 25 strips per box (470 THB) - I doubt whether strips here are similar to ones in the states

One Touch UltraSoft lancets 100 counts (350 THB)

Just ordered One Touch Delica from Amazon, a friend will carry it from the states for me.

Hope this helps!

[lopburi3]

Aviva strips are available from sellers on Ebay UK in about five days I have found. Not sure of the price as it varies and don't order that often.

[Kripe]

I "often" twice a year travel to USA on Business trips, I would be happy to bring you supplys from there if cheaper than in Thailand. I am using Medtronic CGM and are able to buy one sensor in USA for 42$ - the same sensor is 2000 THB in Thailand or 70$

[Kripe]

I "often" twice a year travel to USA on Business trips, I would be happy to bring you supplys from there if cheaper than in Thailand. I am using Medtronic CGM and are able to buy one sensor in USA for 42$ - the same sensor is 2000 THB in Thailand or 70$

My next trip to USA will be in the end of October 2011