Is It Necessary To Have A Prescription To Get Cialis Over The Counter ?

[homeseeker]

I read on another forum here that certain phamracies in Pattaya have been busted for selling the likes of Cialis, Viagra etc over the counter without a doctors prescription.

So is it the law in Thailand than these enhancement drugs can only be obtained legally with a doctors prescription? Or are some pharmacies exempt?

Thanks for any info.

[Sheryl]

Yes, it is the law that these can only be sold on prescription. In additioon there are other legal requirements that the pharmacy must meet i.e. not all pharmacies can sell these drugs even to people with prescriptions. Specifically:

"S = Special Controlled Drug (ยาควบคุมพิเศษ)

A first grade pharmacist shall be on duty at the premises selling modern drugs. Sale to public is on prescription only. Daily purchase and sale record required."

Many pharmacies find this more trouble than it is worth which is why it can be difficult to obtain prescription only medications at other than hospital pharmacies. Large pharmacies located near major hospitals are more likely to find it worth their while to do the necessary record keeping etc as the potential volume of sales is higher.

BTW it is not only pharmacies, customers buying OTC have also been "busted". In fact some places run a scam whereby they sell fake ED drugs to unsuspecting farang who are then nailed by police lurking nearby and given a choice of paying up or being hauled down to the station for booking.