Purchasing Valium And Zanex In Thailand With An Anxiety Disorder?

[Cutietootie]

Hiya all,

Okay so first off I'll start by saying that I'm an Australian whose planning to go too Thailand in a few months. I've been diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder (inside Australia) and have been on these medications for close to a year now. I am under the impression that while medications like Valium and Xanex are available OTC in Thailand that they are not actually legal (strange as that sounds but every country has their own laws) unless a doctor prescribes them. Those two medications are relatively more expensive in Australia than any other country, think $35 for 25 pills, which adds up to over $420 a year (just for the Valium, one a day, Xanex for panic attacks not so often) I'm hoping to buy twelve packs of Valium to save what would be a ton of money.

I've been on them for quite some time now, close to a year (and will be on them for quite some time to come, my doctor certainly hasn’t revised my meds for a while as they have been successful in my case). I was wondering if the doctor gave me a letter stating my current medications and a copy of my diagnosis report would this mean that I’d still need to obtain a script from the a doctor whilst in Thailand? I have found through research that the general consensus is that Thailand doctors don’t particularly like prescribing these, especially for what in my case would be quite a high amount.

Would there be any issues with customs? Where in Thailand can they be purchased (I'm staying near Bumrungrad Hospital)? How much do they cost (I'm assuming they will be allot cheaper in Thailand compared to Australia)? More important than any other question though is will the letter from the doctor and diagnosis report be enough for the police or will a prescription also be needed, how about if they find me with the necessary Valium and Xanex on me?

I'll be holding some Valium and Xanex on my person at all times anyway because they are essential for managing my disorder.

Thanks in advance and any help would be greatly appreciated

[Sheryl]

It is completely illegal to purchase these drugs at a pharmacy in Thailand.

They can only be obtained at a hospital pharmacy on doctor's prescription. And the hospital pharmacies in turn have to report all sales to the Thai FDA.

That said, you should be able to obtain them if you have a medical report from your home physician. Consult a Thai psychiatrist specializing in mood disorders, there are some at Bumrungrad as follows:

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Spain-Uneanong

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Suttiporn-Janenawasin

They will prescribe sparingly, though, and may also suggest (if you are not already on them) that you try some of the non addictive drugs useful for this disorder (e.g. buspirone, Lyrica,beta blockers) keeping the benzos only for short-term emergency use.

Benzos as you probably know are highly addictive and unfortunately it is very common for people with anxiety disorder to end up with the added problem of addiction after being prescribed them.

Regarding bringing these drugs in with you when you enter Thailand, (1) make sure they are in a clearly labelled prescription bottle (2) have with you doctor letter stating they have been prescribed and why (you'll need that anyhow for when you see a doctor here) and (3) quantity should be consistent with not more than 30 days usage.

[Rg100875]

They are freely ok to buy from chemists in phuket as i bought for flight home legality unsure

[Rg100875]

Sorry meant to say 20 bt each

[Sheryl]

they are completely illegal to buy from a chemist. Illegal for you to buy and for a chemist to sell.

Some of the places that appear to be selling these drugs OTC are in fact selling counterfeit fakes which technicality presumably gives them some portection from prosecution but will not protect the buyer from police harrassment at the very least.

For people needing these drugs for a long flight, you will have no trouble getting a dose or two prescribed by a doctor at any hospital for that purpose. Where they shy away is when people want large quantities for for long term use. IMO (and in my experience) no reasonable physician will have a problem writing a script for 1-2 tabs for someone about to take a long plane trip.

The Thai FDA keeps records of who prescribes these drugs and doctors can be investigated if they have been prescribing "unusual" amounts, which accounts at least in part for the hesitation to prescribe.

[Cutietootie]

I'm currently being prescribed Valium on a rotuine basis and the doctor always gives me twenty five tablets that come in a box (those that don't need iot as much are generally prescribed a few and the pharmacy puts then in a small container for them, my disorder means I need them). How about when bringing fifteen days worth, so fifteen pills? I might be able to talk the psychatrist into giving me a prescription for two packages, how many come in a package inside Thailand?

[adweb00]

I am australian and have the same disorder. As long as you carry a letter from your doctor with the medication you will have no problem with customs. I

[Sheryl]

Reference to illegal activity deleted

[stiggy]

If your unsure where to get Bangkok or bumrungrad Hospital can sort out no problem,Relax have fun and enjoy your trip

[Cutietootie]

Hi everyone. sorry for the late response. sheryl will these prosecution laws still apply if there pills are bought with a letter stating my disorder and that im already on them?

[Cutietootie]

Thanks for the advice everyone, but will a letter of diagnosis and explaining current meds be enough to legally purchase them?

[impulse]

I had no problems getting prescribed (in Bumrungrad) some very controversial meds in supplies that last me quite awhile. Details omitted on purpose, but it's stuff that's difficult to get in the USA in reasonable quantities and almost impossible in China in any quantity.

I just brought with me an empty bottle from my last US prescription and another from my last China prescription, saw a psychiatrist, answered some questions and off I went. I was prepared with an e-mail from my USA doctor, but didn't even pull it out of my pocket.

The doctor's fee was only 800 Baht but the meds were pretty steep because they don't carry generics. It took only a phone call and an hour to get the appointment and my hospital ID and now I go in every 60 days to get refills with no muss, no fuss. I do see the doc every time, but that's a small price to pay.

[Sheryl]

Thanks for the advice everyone, but will a letter of diagnosis and explaining current meds be enough to legally purchase them?

If by this you mean purchase them at an outside pharmacy yourself, NO

They can only be legally bought from a hospital pharmacy on doctor's orders. You will need to see a doctor at a local hospital and then get the meds at the hospital pharmacy.

[Konini]

You haven't said if you will be in Thailand permanently, so just in case....

I have prescription medications that are so much cheaper here than the 'subsidised' ones are in Australia, but don't think for one minute about taking them back to Aus. If you get stopped in customs, you'll have a lot more trouble than anyone would want, even though you have a valid letter from your doctor. I know someone who was caught. He tried using the 'saving the taxpayer money' line as he would be obtaining the PBS funded meds if he didn't take them in, but they were confiscated anyway. I think he only got away with a very good telling off because he was quite elderly, had a letter from his GP and was not an obvious abuser. When I go back, I take enough to last me a couple of days until I can get to my GP and get a script. It's not worth the dollars you save.