Prescription medications

[aussiesteve63]

Have decided to extend my stay in the LOS but I'm running out of some of my medications

Can get diabetic meds but having trouble sourcing blood pressure pills,any ideas

[happylarry]

You don't need a prescription, just go into a pharmacy and ask for what you want. There are a few meds that they won't sell but not many and you can definitely buy BP tablets. If you have any trouble finding what you want then try the pharmacy next door to the V1 Hotel, that's where I go for mine.

HL

[harrry]

Go to any hospital. The doctors will speak english or if they do not speak will read so write down what you need. THe cost will be about 200baht to see him. He will advise on the local form of medication that will suit. You can either buy it from the hospital at a 20% or so mark up or outside. My BP Meds cost a few baht a tablet..

[hansnl]

It all depends on what you are using now.

Most used in the western countries and Australia are also available in Thailand.

Bring, if you have them with you, the boxes or strips to the pharmacy, they can find you the equivalent available in Thailand.

[harrry]

It all depends on what you are using now.

Most used in the western countries and Australia are also available in Thailand.

Bring, if you have them with you, the boxes or strips to the pharmacy, they can find you the equivalent available in Thailand.

This is true if it is the actual pharmacist you see. The people you see in most pharmacies are only shop assistants and often give bad advice. Each pharmacist will have several pharmacies so check when the pharmacist will be there if you do this.

[aussiesteve63]

thanks for the info guys i have got the packets with me

[Sheryl]

If you can post the names of the meds you are on, I'll let you know Thai brand names. Unless you find a pharmacy with an actual pharmacist behind the counter (rarer than one might expect), may be difficult even with packs in hand since brand names often differ and non-pharmacists are often unfamiliar with generic names.

[ubonrthai]

The few times I've had to find a specific medication, I looked up all the alternative names I could find online and just handed the list to the "pharmacist."

[isanbirder]

There are plenty of fake medicines in Thailand, so I strongly suggest you go through a doctor or a hospital even if it costs a bit more.

[happylarry]

I have been to the pharmacy next to the V1 Hotel many many times and I have never known the Pharmacist NOT to have been there.

If you go to a hospital then you will be paying the doctors fee, the hospital fee and also double or triple the actual cost of the meds.

Of course if you dont know whats wrong with you then you need proper medical advice, but, if its just to top up whatever you are already taking then cut out all the middle men and get straight from the pharmacy.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

HL

[Sheryl]

Never encountered fake antihypertensive meds in LOS. Basically the fake drugs are things aimed at the tourist market e.g. Viagra, Valium etc (which are also anyhow illegal to buy OTC).

All OP needs, assuming his BP and any other medical issues are under control and this is just refill of a long-term medication, is a pharmacy staffed by a pharmacist and the generic name of his meds (which will appear on the package they came in)

Or, if no pharmaicst available, then the Thai brand names.

[Thaddeus]

I notice this is in the Isaan forum, if that is where the OP is he may struggle at a pharmacy in the smaller towns.

None of the pharms near me will supply BP meds or Beta Blockers over the counter, you have to go to the local hospital.

[Sheryl]

I notice this is in the Isaan forum, if that is where the OP is he may struggle at a pharmacy in the smaller towns.

None of the pharms near me will supply BP meds or Beta Blockers over the counter, you have to go to the local hospital.

That would be because they don't have a pharmacist ion the premises (probably ever). Nearest provincial capital town would be a good bet.

[ozzydom]

Lispril are available OTC at bigger pharmacies .Box of 30 Lispril 10mg about 180 baht.

[Farma]

As Sheryl mentioned most if not all BP medications should be available as local brand names. Sometimes you can get foreign brands but will find they generally aren't stocked due to the price of imported medications.

My observation of upcountry pharmacies is most pharmacists will work in a hospital or other govt job during the day and tend the pharmacy after work. Full time pharmacists are in short supply. It's only been in the past couple of years independent pharmacists have started to graduate. Up until then most pharmacists were required to repay their govt funded studies by working for the govt after graduation.

Full time pharmacists can be found in the bigger chain stores found in cities or private pharmacies operated by retired govt pharmacists. Towns tend to have pharmacies operated by assitants during the day with the pharmacist attending after their normal work. There will be a sign above the counter in Thai telling the pharmacist hours of attendance. Like everything what the sign says and the actual attendance hours may vary.

Pharmacies have different grades of licence. You may find 2 pharmcies side by side with one selling injections or other drugs not available next door. This is due to one pharmacist opting not to be licenced to sell those drugs or preferring not to sell them due to the local crime rate or other matter.

In smaller towns and villages you see mini pharmacies in mom and pop shops. These are licenced to sell a limited range of medicines.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Farma

[happylarry]

I have to admit I hadnt noticed that the OP had not put his location down and I just had in my mind he was in Korat....well he knows where to come if he cant get his requirements in his local district.

HL

[aussiesteve63]

I live in Kantharawichai,Mahasarakhan Province which is about an hour from Khon Kaen.

We have a small hospital here but a larger one in sarakhan otherwise its a trip to Khon Kaen

which has plenty of large hospitals and lots of farung.Central world has chain pharmacies so i will

try them if all else fails at this end.

thanks again every one for your helpful posts

[stoli]

Lispril are available OTC at bigger pharmacies .Box of 30 Lispril 10mg about 180 baht.

Very true. Easy to get, which it should be for those who need it. Lisproril in the states is widely available here for those who need it. Not as cheap as the $4 charged at Wal-Mart, but cheap.

Edited October 1, 2013 by stoli

[Sheryl]

I live in Kantharawichai,Mahasarakhan Province which is about an hour from Khon Kaen.

We have a small hospital here but a larger one in sarakhan otherwise its a trip to Khon Kaen

which has plenty of large hospitals and lots of farung.Central world has chain pharmacies so i will

try them if all else fails at this end.

thanks again every one for your helpful posts

If the medication yoiu are on is extremely common (e.g. a beta blocker or diuretic) will be able to get at local hospital. Otherwise, your best bet may be a large pharmacy in Khon Kaen.

[Nignoy]

There is no need to run out of medication, if you see your doctor in Australia and tell him you are going overseas ,ask for a system 24 prescription which enables you to get 12months supply of all the medications, my wife and I do this every 2 years, one year we save next year we travel, so it works out quite well

[harrry]

There is no need to run out of medication, if you see your doctor in Australia and tell him you are going overseas ,ask for a system 24 prescription which enables you to get 12months supply of all the medications, my wife and I do this every 2 years, one year we save next year we travel, so it works out quite well

You will find the cost of most medicines here is less than the cost in Australia even with concession.

[aussiesteve63]

Cheers all got what I needed to day at reasonable price,the Lipitor being more expensive than aus

But the rest was ok.

Thanks nignoy I was supposed be here for only 6 weeks,but the start date on my next job

Got put back.

[dinger]

I live in Maha Sarakham. There is a very good pharmacy along the klong directly oppsite the old (not the new one) Sermthai Complex (Tesco/Lotus) They have always had my BP meds, though mine are pretty basic, but I have needed some other things they didn't have in stock and they ordered from BKK and had in a couple of days. Run by a family, good english and very helpful and reasonable prices even on special orders

[aussiesteve63]

Thanks for the info dinger will keep that in mind for the future,do you get out and about

Maybe a game of snooker

[citizen33]

There are several pharmacies in the local area staffed by the Faculty of Pharmacy at Mahasarakham University (MSU), and I think they carry quite a good range of drugs. The nearest to you is the one on the Kamrieng campus in the plaza that contains TMB bank. They also have one in Maha Sarakham behind Sermthai near the food market. Alternatively, just outside the town of Kantarawichai going towards Sarakham is one of three pharmacies owned by Dr Somsak, a pharmacy lecturer from MSU, which again should be okay. However, as your first stop, why not just try the pharmacy in Kantarawichai near the corner of the 213 and the Khon Kaen road (near Bangkok Bank). There is normally a pharmacist working there,

I live in Kantharawichai,Mahasarakhan Province which is about an hour from Khon Kaen.
We have a small hospital here but a larger one in sarakhan otherwise its a trip to Khon Kaen
which has plenty of large hospitals and lots of farung.Central world has chain pharmacies so i will
try them if all else fails at this end.

thanks again every one for your helpful posts

If the medication yoiu are on is extremely common (e.g. a beta blocker or diuretic) will be able to get at local hospital. Otherwise, your best bet may be a large pharmacy in Khon Kaen.

Edited October 1, 2013 by citizen33

[irishsmile]

I live in Maha Sarakham. There is a very good pharmacy along the klong directly oppsite the old (not the new one) Sermthai Complex (Tesco/Lotus) They have always had my BP meds, though mine are pretty basic, but I have needed some other things they didn't have in stock and they ordered from BKK and had in a couple of days. Run by a family, good english and very helpful and reasonable prices even on special orders

Correct!! I know this pharmacy very well and it is run by a family ( the wife is the qualified pharmacist ) and speaks excellent English.

She is very helpful and always has the meds I need in stock and at a very reasonable cost.

Go and visit. Hope she can sort you with you BP meds.

[aussiesteve63]

I got everything that I needed in mahasarakham next to the main market and around the corner from the police station,very friendly and could speak moderate English

[dinger]

Thanks for the info dinger will keep that in mind for the future,do you get out and about

Maybe a game of snooker

Do like to get out and about for a meet up with others in the area. Not much of a snooker player but always up for meeting new folks and a bit of conversation

[aussiesteve63]

Thanks for the info dinger will keep that in mind for the future,do you get out and about

Maybe a game of snooker

Do like to get out and about for a meet up with others in the area. Not much of a snooker player but always up for meeting new folks and a bit of conversation

do you live in sarakham or a out lying ban,i live 2 km up the chang yuan road from kantharawichai

i play snooker with a french gentleman at a hall just next to the vasu hotel accross the canal

from the hospital,but i noticed a new up the road from big c yesterday.will let you know our movements

or if you would like to catch up some where for a coffee or beer name a time and place

[dinger]

I live out a bit on the road to Wapi, but am always back and forth into town. There are plenty of places along the canal to meet up for a drink and a chat. Anytime is fine for me as I am free most of the time. Send me a PM and we can work something out

Regards