How Easy Is It In Thailand To Open A Pharmacy?

[Sandman77]

Here, in the village we have every day a open street medicine sale, a man comes with the car sale paracetamol vitamin. Tablets etc with a big speaker on the car , one time I read only a pharmacist is allowed to sale medicine?

Must a pharmacist can speak English before he can begin sale?

[HeavyDrinker]

Dunno?

[poanoi]

A pharmacist doesnt have to speak english,

but i can tell from personal experience that opening a biz with regulations that require authorities

to certify the lot is very hard work with infinite bribes and a long que,

brace yourself

[Sheryl]

Naturally there is no requirement for Thai pharmacists to speak English, why would there be?

There are regulations in Thailand as to in what type of facilities and by type of personnel specific drugs can be sold. Some are limited to sales in facilities with a senior ("grade one") pharmacist on the premises (but not necessarily behind the counter or interacting with the purchasers) and some are not. There is a category of drugs which can be sold by any licensed vendor and paracetemol is among these (you'll also find it in 7-elevens) as are most (but not all) vitamin preparations.

[Sandman77]

Thx for information!

What happen with the medicine when it not store 25 Celsius below?

Most farmacy inside are very hot and on the street for sale is even more hotter !

In other country's the patient must go to a doctor for confirm medicaments most of them here avalible for all!

[Swiss1960]

maybe that man is a pharmacist and maybe he speaks English... and it's just you who does not understand him???

[Sheryl]

Thx for information! What happen with the medicine when it not store 25 Celsius below? Most farmacy inside are very hot and on the street for sale is even more hotter ! In other country's the patient must go to a doctor for confirm medicaments most of them here avalible for all!

Proper storage of medication is indeed a big concern here. One is best advised to only shop at pharmacies with air conditioning and avoid street sales and non-a/c shops.

Thailand does indeed sell over the counter many drugs that are prescription only in the west, but by no means all, and sometimes the opposite is even true.

Be warned that even in nice looking air conditioned pharmacies with someone wearing a white coat behind the counter, that persons is not necessarily a qualified pharmacist. This usually becomes obvious in talking with them, for example if they cannot recognize drugs by the generic name or have to ask you what a drug is for.

Pretty much all provincial capital towns will have at least one public pharmacy with a grade one pharmacist; often these serve as training sites for pharmacy students. It is worth the time and trouble to find the one nearest you and avoid others unless you are sure you know what you need. "Real" pharmacists are well trained, knowledgeable and can be of great help, problem is finding them.