I have just moved to Thailand and discovered that the medication I take will cost me over $500 per month - in the U.S. I paid about $50 per month for the meds I take (not because of insurance but because all the meds can be purchased as generics). Please note, I do not take any narcotic medications...that is NOT what I'm looking for. I take two anti-depressants and 3 arthritis meds.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what did you do? I can travel anywhere in Thailand or surrounding countries to purchase meds at a reasonable cost but under no circumstances am I willing to pay $500 per month for meds. I just got here and now I may have to leave a country that I have wanted to live in for years.

I have researched buying meds online but that may not be an option as there are so many untrustworthy pharmacies online and, in addition, the meds sold are still expensive...not as expensive as in Thailand but certainly not cheap either.

Thank you so much for any advice or assistance you can offer.

Heartbroken in Thailand,

JJD

I think this thread belongs in the 'health forum'. Suggest some mod moves it there.

You haven't told us where you are in Thailand and the nature of your drugs. It is possible you are getting scammed as some small pharmacies ram up the prices when they see a farang.

I live in Pattaya and I buy all my meds from a major pharmacy called Fascino, which is fully computerised and the customers are not ripped off.

However, I take a wide range of meds, from two types of insulin, a number of BP reducing drugs, cholesterol reducing drugs, eye drops for glaucoma ,meds for enlarged prostate and goodness knows what else., and my monthly bill rarely exceeds US $500, usually much less, depending on how much insulin I buy.

So tell us your drugs and we'll tell you if you are being scammed. It is also possible that there are cheap generic alternatives to the drugs on your list. Imported drugs and much more expensive than those locally made under licence. (I am not talking about illegally made meds.)

Actually this post is in the health forum and has been since a few minutes after it was posted. You may have opened it in visas but you posted in health.

My apologies. Should have known you'd be on the ball.

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Check out a doctor at a government hospital to prescripe you medication. The prices of medication varies greatly, depending on where you buy them. For a lot of private hospitals it is an extra money maker, where government hospitals will give you a normal price.

Also check out several pharmacies and check the generic names of the the drugs you need. Consult a doctor if you change drugs.

It is quite possible that there are locally made inexpensive generic equivalents to what you are on, but I need to know the names of the meds to advise.

That is a surprising experience.

The usual experience is, that medication in Thailand is much cheaper and if there are generics available in your country they should be here.

If you don't hesitate to specify the name of the drugs, then someone might be able to check out.

Actually I experienced the same thing two decades ago in the case of normal gout medication not being available in anything but very high priced brand name at most drug stores. Although more reasonably priced; Tenormin was another drug that only brand name was sold most places. Most drug stores did not have turnover high enough to pay for stocking what were bottled 1-5000 tabs. Suspect as most are now strip paks more alternatives are available but you may have to do the research as brand name is what many doctors and patients will expect a westerner to want. If living here would advise local medical checkup and prescription of what is cheaper and more available; if it fits.

I use Tricor for cholesterol control and although there is a generic available here in Thailand the reviews of the generic are not flattering so I have the branded version forwarded by a US remailer. I use my health plans mail order pharmacy option and the added expense for a remailer is worth the additional expense in my opinion. I have never had to pay customs duties on medicine shipped to Thailand, by the way

Here is the one I use:

http://www.shipito.com/

Try Fascinos they are all Thailand now.If you do not want generic drugs you are going to have problems.I take 3 anti epiletic drugs and others at well.Do not let anyone tell you medicine is cheap in Thailand,eg blood pressure I am only get 4 mg and need 8 a day so tablets run out quickThe 3 major ones I take only 1 is available in Thailand they do not have a other 2.I have to leave about every 8 months and stock up no problems brings medication into Thailand IF YOU ARE SICK.