Just Diagnosed With Narcolepsy But Modafinil Is Illegal In Thailand

[Bryzn]

I've just been diagnosed with Narcolepsy but they have no treatment other than methylphenidate, which makes me extremely nervous so I can't use it. The best treatment that I've heard about is modafinil, which is not fda approved here. The neurologist said she would confirm with a doctor in Canada about my condition. Am I able to get a prescription from a Canadian doctor while im in Thailand and have the meds shipped to me? If not, what are my other options? i really dont want to have to leave the country/continent just to see a doctor then fly right back.

I know that I can order through an online pharm but I really don't want to do anything illegal, and I want to make sure I am getting real meds.

I am getting really desperate here, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Sheryl]

Actually, modafinal is approved now by the Thai FDA. However, no brand of it is licensed for import/sale, and no brand made here.

I therefore see no problem with your importing it on prescription from a doctor except the issue of quantity, import for personal use is supposed to be a 30 day supply only, so you might have to have it send monthly.

That's in terms of Thai laws/regulations. As for the feasibility of getting a Canadian doctor top prescribe it for you long distance, I have no idea.

[Forkinhades]

i would not lose any sleep over it

sorry could not resist

[Bryzn]

Not that I dont believe you that its been FDA approved because I know that many Thai doctors are misinformed about many things and/or they're grossly incompetent, but two psychiatrists and a neurologist told me that they haven't been approved and wont be any time soon. If it's FDA approved does that mean that a Thai doctor can write a script for it, or does it only mean that I can bring/ship into the country?

I also just read on a Canadian government website that if I have a permit from the Thai FDA (and a load of other info) that I can ship 3 months supply at any one time.

btw do you know where I can find info on the FDA approval of Modafinil?

Thanks

[Shurup]

If it's FDA approved does that mean that a Thai doctor can write a script for it, or does it only mean that I can bring/ship into the country?

From my understanding, if it's FDA approved here, doc can write a script (if he is aware of such approval).

To bring/ship into the country, you have to have a script from either Thai or Canadian doctor.

[Bryzn]

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that i contacted the Thai FDA to get all this sorted and it's pretty clear that the Thai FDA has NOT approved modafinil and just because it's on MIMS does not mean that it's been approved. This is the email they sent me:

Dear Sir,

We would like to tell you that modafinil has not been approved from

ThaiFDA. This means it is illegal to sell from any where in Thailand.

Any person can not sell non-registered drug.

But I think Thai doctor can prescrib modafanil for you if you can find

it outside Thailand.

And now it depends on the law of the country that you will buy them

that they allow you to use the prescription from Thailand or not.

I hope this information will help you.

Regards,

---

Theerathorn Manotham (Ms)

Pharmacist, Narcotics Control Division,

Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health,

Thailand

[Sheryl]

Both posts 4 and 5 and email quoted in post 6 are confusing approval of a drug for medical use with and the existance of a brand approved/licensed for sale.

There is indeed no form of Modafanil registered in Thailand and so no form that can legally be sold/bought here, and for that reason, no one can write you a prescription to be filled here for it.

But it is approved, medically, for use. Otherwise "Thai doctor can prescrib modafanil for you if you can find it outside Thailand" would not be the case.

As to whether or not you need a script to bring it into the country, this is a grey area since the FDA sets that classification (OTC vs. prescription) only when a brand of the drug has been licensed. But in any case you would surely need a prescription to get it in Canada.

[TantrikLvr]

Much easier then Canada, if you know anyone going to or coming from India, most large drug stores there sell a local version of Modifinal over the counter for a much cheaper price than one can find in the west (about 150 to 300 baht a tab). It comes in strips of 10 for about 100 baht. Perhaps one can order online from an Indian distributor.