Can I receive prescription meds from abroad in Thailand?

[tm8405]

I live in New York & am planning a 5 month stay in Thailand. I am taking

budesonide, a prescription drug for allergies; it has a 3 month shelf life

so I will not be able to bring a supply of the drug for my whole trip. It is

not a ‘controlled substance’ that contains opiates or barbiturates.

I could, of course, get a prescription from an MD in Bangkok & get the drug

there but my doctor wants me to only use the drug he prescribed. He tells me

that I can have a friend or family member in the US send it to me in Bangkok

via US Mail or FedEx.

First of all, is this legal? Is it going to be a huge big deal with Thai customs?

Has anyone had any similar experience receiving medications in the mail from

abroad in Thailand?

Any help, feedback, advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

[harrry]

To send medicine into Thailand you need an import licence. You also have to pay duty and tax which could be as much as the item costs in the US.

Medicines like that are available here from the original manafacturer at much cheaper prices. You can bring what you need without a problem with a doctors letter.

I do not know which budenoside you use but I doubt your stated shelf lifel. For example:

http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/14887/SPC/Novolizer+Budesonide+200+micrograms+inhalation+powder/

• Medicinal product (Budesonide in the cartridge packed in a container)

Shelf life before opening the container

3 years

Shelf life after first opening the container

6 months

• Device ( Powder inhaler=Novolizer)

Shelf life before first use

3 years

In-use shelf life

1 year

To note: The functioning of the powder inhaler (=Novolizer)has been demonstrated in tests for 2000 metered doses. Therefore a maximum of 10 cartridges containing 200 metered doses or 20 cartridges containing 100 metered doses can be used with this device (within a single year) prior to replacement.

Edited August 11, 2013 by harrry

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I used to buy some meds from the U.S. and have them mailed to Thailand. Believe this was not illegal by Thai law as long as it was a small amount and for personal use.

Only had one package picked up by the Thai postal customs folks. Went down to their office not too far from the Hua Lamphong train station to pickup. Had an interview with a Thai doctor there as to why I was buying and mailing the meds, not a problem as it turned out. Paid a relatively small bit for the import tax and left with my meds.

If you do this, use USPS, definitely not FedEx or any of the couriers as they are more likely to be targeted by Thai Customs.

I stopped doing the U.S. sourcing when my med plan changed their rules to allow coverage for meds purchased locally in Thailand.

Ah, an asthma med. I use Symbicort, purchased locally It contains 160 micrograms of budesoncide. AstraZencca AB, Sweedb

Current turbuhaler says: MAN 10-2012, EXP 09-2014, that's a two (2) year shelf life!!

Mac

Mac

[Sheryl]

Budesonide is an OTC medication in Thailand, no prescription needed. It is available in the following preparations:

Pulmocort, and Pulmocort Turbo Inhaler made by AstraZeneca

Aeronide, made by Aerocare

Besonin Aqua, made by Synmosa (Taiwanese pharm co)

Budecort CFC-free, made by Cipla (Indian manufacturer of inexpensive generics)

Budensonide inhalation CFC-free, made by Jewim (Chinese co)

Bunase Respule, made by Okasa Pharm

Obucort, made by Otsuka

I suggest you show this list to your doctor and see if you can just purchase one of them once in Thailand. It will be far easier than trying to have the drug shipped to you from the US, which does technically require an import license which you will not be able to get, and would also be subject to huge duty tariffs.

if despite this you are determined to have it mailed to you, absolutely DO NOT use any type of courier, only the regular mail system. USPS Express mail is OK. Courier = guaranteed customs problems.

[tm8405]

I just found Sheryl's reply in my spam folder so belated thanks, guys, for all very helpful the comments.

It seems like more trouble than it's worth .to ship meds from the US.