Cost Of Prescription Drugs In Thailand?

[trevoromgh]

I am on a long list of medication back here in the UK and before I relocate to Thailand over the next year or two I'd like to check out the likely cost for these drugs when my UK supply runs out. Can anyone advise me how best to go about this please? I was rather hoping there might be a reputable chain of pharmacies in Thailand which has an online shop I can use to check this out but any ideas gratefully received. Thanks

[Sheryl]

No such online shop. But if you post the names of the meds (preferably the generic names) we can let you know if they are (1) available here (2) available in locally made brand and possibly others taking them can give you an idea of cost.

[trevoromgh]

Hi Sheryl thanks for your help, here is a list of the tablets I take as requested

Clopidogrel 75mg

Ramipril 2.5mg

Amioderone Hydrochloride 100mg

Atorvastatin 20mg

Omeprazole 40mg enteric coated

Bisoprolol Fumarate 2.5mg

Bumetanide 1mg

Spironolactone 25mg

If there's any you don't recognise just let me know.

Regards

Trevor

[Sheryl]

The Bumetanide is not available in Thailand. Suggest you ask your doctor if you can take furosemide instead (same family of drugs, just an older version).

Otherwise all the rest are available, need no prescription in Thailand and come in locally made generic equivalents, which means they will be inexpensive.

SO providing you can sort out the switch from bemetanide to another loop diuretic, supply of meds will not be an issue.

What I would be concerned about though is how you will pay for medical care, particularly should you need hospitalization or costly diagnostic procedures. While Thais can get free care in government hospitals, foreigners cannot, and with these pre-existing conditions you will not qualify for local insurance.

If you are set on moving to Thailand may need to think of self-insuring (and do not underestimate the amounts you need to put aside -- even if you stick to government hospitals, a single hospitalization can easily run to millions of baht if major surgery or ICU care entailed).

Should also see if you can get some type of policy over there that would provide for medical evacuation back to the UK assuming you would still be eligible for care under the NHS.

[trevoromgh]

That's great many thanks Sheryl I'm sure I can sort out an alternative for Bumetanide. I am aware of the potential medical costs and that is weighing heavily on my mind right now so I shall need to ensure I have sufficient funds put aside to cover any eventuality. Thanks again for your help. Love this forum!

Trevor