Buying Campral (Acamprosate) Via Mail Order

[phuketfrank2]

Hi,

I have previously bought Campral from an online pharmacy back when I was living in the UK. No issues, drugs did what they were supposed to, everything went fine.

But - This Is Thailand.

What will happen if I try to order medicines from abroad and have them posted to Thailand? I should point out that Acamprosate has no abuse potential whatsoever, all it can be used for is to help you quit drinking.

I can imagine 1 of 3 scenarios:

a) The police visit, I go to jail

b The package arrives but I have to pay a stupendous amount of money to customs

c) Everything goes swimmingly

Alternatively, if anybody knows where I can get some Campral from within Thailand, that would be perfect. Don't mind flying to Bangkok or wherever.

Edited December 6, 2010 by phuketfrank2

[Sheryl]

There does not appear to be a brand licensed for import into Thailand and it is not made locally, so doubt you can find it here. Although could try a pyschiatrist specializing in substance abuse at say Bumrungrad, Samitivej or Manoram, sometimes the hospitals have drugs not otherwise available. Would be very costly though.

As for importing it (in quantities consistent with personal use), I'm not sure as it is somewhat of a grey area. the generic drug is approved for use in Thailand but no brand licensed for import. Probably this would be all right, espceially if you have (or if it comes with) a doctor's script.

But do not have it sent by any type of courier service. no Fedex, DHL, etc. If they are involved customs hassles are guarnateed and it'll get sent off for FDA clearance as well, which will take months during which you will be charged storage fees.

Have it sent by ordinary airmail only. Custom slip labelled "medication (acamprosate) for personal use" and inside clearly labelled with the generic name. And not more than a 30 day supply.

[phuketfrank2]

There does not appear to be a brand licensed for import into Thailand and it is not made locally, so doubt you can find it here. Although could try a pyschiatrist specializing in substance abuse at say Bumrungrad, Samitivej or Manoram, sometimes the hospitals have drugs not otherwise available. Would be very costly though.

As for importing it (in quantities consistent with personal use), I'm not sure as it is somewhat of a grey area. the generic drug is approved for use in Thailand but no brand licensed for import. Probably this would be all right, espceially if you have (or if it comes with) a doctor's script.

But do not have it sent by any type of courier service. no Fedex, DHL, etc. If they are involved customs hassles are guarnateed and it'll get sent off for FDA clearance as well, which will take months during which you will be charged storage fees.

Have it sent by ordinary airmail only. Custom slip labelled "medication (acamprosate) for personal use" and inside clearly labelled with the generic name. And not more than a 30 day supply.

Thank you for the excellent info Sheryl.

I agree that the psychiatrist route would be very expensive, and also time-consuming. The site I have ordered from before doesn't provide any kind of doctor's script, but they send a 30 day supply (of 90 tablets), and the package is sent via EMS airmail, hopefully bypassing the whole customs thing. At 2000 baht it's cheap and convenient, although I'll probably have to wait a couple of weeks for them to arrive. I'm not sure if I can specify what the custom slip will say, the site in question may not have fluent English speakers working there. But I can certainly ask.

Will wait a little longer to see if anybody else wants to add their perspective. You think there is genuinely no risk of legal problems with this?

Thanks!

Edited December 8, 2010 by phuketfrank2

[Sheryl]

As it is not a banned or control substance in Thailand I don't see why there would be. Biggest problem would come if it were suspected of being something else or if customs simply couldn't figure out what it was.

They might conceivably refuse to let it in (on grounds that the brand isn't licensed here, and perhaps also that you have no doctor prescription to show you need it). But I don't see any violation of law in having it sent to you. (Mind you, I'm no lawyer!)

[phuketfrank2]

As it is not a banned or control substance in Thailand I don't see why there would be. Biggest problem would come if it were suspected of being something else or if customs simply couldn't figure out what it was.

They might conceivably refuse to let it in (on grounds that the brand isn't licensed here, and perhaps also that you have no doctor prescription to show you need it). But I don't see any violation of law in having it sent to you. (Mind you, I'm no lawyer!)

OK, I will order some up in the next few days - I would expect it to take at least 2 weeks to arrive here. I'll let you know what happens

[phuketfrank3]

Just to follow up, I did manage to buy it online without any hassles (took 2 weeks), customs or otherwise. But your experience could be different, especially if ordering something that is not so obviously completely benign.

Have posted more in the "I drink too much forum" if you're interested.