Prescription medication in the Kingdom ?

[Ianatlarge]

An Aussie friend of mine is thinking about spending some time in Thailand, but he takes lots of meds. He is concerned about the legality of buying his medications here. I assured him that there will be no problem, but he is still a little concerned. Can someone specifically state that he can get prescriptions here, and buy whatever he needs? Or offer any advice. Thanks.

[beachproperty]

Wellllll....first off ...what meds is he taking....would help!

But bottom line is if necessary can see a doctor here to get a prescription for his needs.

[Jingthing]

Post in the health forum the SPECIFIC list of meds.

[kikoman]

Yes a lot depends on the prescript medication, Re: "controlled substances" ?

I had no problem I simply took my empty prescribed med bottles to the pharmacy and they were refilled, nary a question asked!

Why not bring a prescribed medicine with X numbers of refills recommended, If that does not work go to a Thai doctor with a letter from you home country doctor with recommended treatment required

Cheers

[i claudius]

Farcino in Pattaya sell most prescription meds ,never been asked for a prescription

[CharlieH]

As stated, depends on what it is, and as usual for Thailand WHERE you go.

If concerned go see the local Doctor, take the empty or existing meds, explain why you need to take them and there should be no problem. A writtem verification from your present doctor is great if its available before travelling.

[craigt3365]

It all depends on what you are looking for. Please post specifics or we won't be able to help you.

In the meantime, we'll move this over to the Health sub forum.

Topic Moved.

[biggles45]

i have severe glaucoma and can only get my eye drops in australia with a prescription. The same brands are available here in Pattaya for a similar price and no prescription necessary. I recommend Fascino in Pattaya North road for a good selection and good service.

If he visits his doctor before he leaves he can get a prescription with a special notation which allows the pharmacy to fill all his repeats for him before he leaves.

[John_Betong]

Shop around for prices...

I have been quoted 20 Baht for a single, made in Thailand, Allopurinol 100 mg tablet and now found a pharmacy that sells them one Baht each!!!

If anyone is interested the pharmacy is at the Fortune Tower entrance closest to the MRT Station. Up the steps, through the doors and it is on the right,

[Estrada]

At one time you could buy all medicines over the counter without prescription. Nowadays there are a few drugs with dangerous side effects that are controlled and you would need to go to a Doctor for a prescription. However, many drugs that normally need a prescription in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia etc can be obtained over the counter. If you are not a trained paramedic or pharmacologist, at least check on the side effects, dosage levels and the like before self medicating. I had to do this when working in the desert, as otherwise I could have died on several occasions due to lack of medical facilities and dire shortage of medicines. Fortunately I am a trained paramedic and I usually buy my meds over the counter in Thailand to take with me on my trips.

[how241]

It's very difficult to get refills of pain medications. Usually they only want to give you Tramadol which is nowhere as strong as Percocet. I have severe back pain by was not able to get any pharmacy's to refill my Percocet. I do understand the need to keep tight control as these pills are abused by some. Even at the hospitals they refused, saying Gov't regulations don't allow them to.

[oneday]

I used a very specific medicine for my migraines in the US (Butalbital), but they DO NOT sell that medicine in Thailand so I had to go a doctor in Bangkok who specialized in headaches and the best he could do was prescribe Tramadol, which is on it's way to being a restricted drug in Thailand only to be sold by hospitals by prescription. Tramadol also has a couple of irritating non-serious side affects and doesn't come close to working as good as my original prescription in the US.

So some medicines ARE NOT available here, but most common ordinary ones are and as long as it can not be abused as a narcotic then you can almost certainly get it without prescription at almost any pharmacy. Tramadol is really a narcotic and I'm surprised it was not already restricted.

For my high blood pressure and cholesterol medicines I buy them at a local pharmacy. And virtually any antibiotic is available without prescription at local pharmacies.

As everyone else said, be specific about what drugs.

[wirat69]

You can not buy Viagra or similar drugs over the counter. Anything you can not purchase on request from the pharmacy can be obtained at Chulalongkorn Hospital of The Thai Red Cross Society on Rama IV Road in Bangkok or other hospitals throughout Thailand. Some of the generic drugs for Diabetics are not available, just the more expensive originals e.g. Piogliclazide (forgive me if I spell it wrongly) is only available as Actos, not the Australian derivative.

[ignis]

i have severe glaucoma and can only get my eye drops in australia with a prescription. The same brands are available here in Pattaya for a similar price and no prescription necessary. I recommend Fascino in Pattaya North road for a good selection and good service.

If he visits his doctor before he leaves he can get a prescription with a special notation which allows the pharmacy to fill all his repeats for him before he leaves.

My UK Dr gave me 2 prescriptions 1x for my medication and for 3 months supply to bring with me, the other prescription to bring to Thailand with me....... easy Pharmacy here had most in stock and over the counter, he looked up one and found the same called something different..

As for getting your pills cheaper, DO not buy them by the strip, Buy by the box or tub..

All mine by box = 10 or 20 strips inside are at least 45% cheaper, 2 x I can buy by tub.. as an idea strip of 10 cost 30 baht, buy loose cost 1.5 baht each, I buy the Tub of 500 cost 299 baht [bought last month] ........ before anyone says Sell by date.. date says 17-01-2016, they will all be gone within 6 months.. even the Tub of 1,000 Multi Vitamins will be gone well before the sell by date..

the 1st couple of years here I wasted so much money, but then had no idea they were so cheap by box/tub. [used to spend around 1,800 baht per month.. now buy 5 months at a time cost around 2,500 baht..!!!]

[Dogbarker]

Best bet is to verify they actually can be ordered in Thailand first!.. suggest using Mins : http://www.mims.com/Thailand

also use this to search alternative formulations and generics . For example my wife has to take two tablets per day of the available brand here to equal the expensive European brand. Chemical make up the same. Sometimes items need ordering and Facino are generally good ( in C. Mai on the 118 near Dara)

Letters always useful .. some hospitals will not prescribe anything without first doing an examination .. can be expensive ..

[Ianatlarge]

Advice needed. A friend of mine is contemplating an extended visit to the Kingdom, a few months, maybe more, but he takes a lot of meds. He wants reassurance that he can get what he needs. I explained to him that meds are readily available, but he wants a direct confirmation. Here is the list, can all of these be easily purchased in Thailand. All legally obtained in Australia.

ms contin
ordine
efexor
lyrica
valium
coversyl
diclofenac
nexium
claratyne
panadol osteo
imigran
panadol forte

Thanks.

[Satcommlee]

ms contin (Morphine Sulphate)
ordine (Morphine Hydrochloride)

efexor (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)
lyrica (Diabetic nerve pain)
valium (benzodiazepam)
coversyl (High blood pressure)
diclofenac (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory)
nexium (acid indigestion)
claratyne (antihistamine)
panadol osteo (paracetetemol for athritis)
imigran (migrane painkillers)
panadol forte (paracetemol and codeine)

The ones in red you may get a problem with as they are likely controlled drugs (but I'm not an expert)...

Others may not be available in Thailand.

That is one hell of a combination of dodgy meds he's on!!!

Edited November 7, 2013 by Satcommlee

[khunianb]

In Thailand a pharmacist can legally dispense 'prescription' medicines except for those in controlled categories, without a doctor's prescription. The controlled categories include narcotics, psychotropics, certain steroids and erectile dysfunction medication. As many posters have indicated, these controlled medicines may be dispensed by some pharmacists. However, if you are stopped by the police and have any of these medicines without a prescription then you can be arrested or fleeced!

[thaiexpat21]

ms contin (Morphine Sulphate)

ordine (Morphine Hydrochloride)

efexor (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)

lyrica (Diabetic nerve pain)

valium (benzodiazepam)

coversyl (High blood pressure)

diclofenac (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory)

nexium (acid indigestion)

claratyne (antihistamine)

panadol osteo (paracetetemol for athritis)

imigran (migrane painkillers)

panadol forte (paracetemol and codeine)

The ones in red you may get a problem with as they are likely controlled drugs (but I'm not an expert)...

Others may not be available in Thailand.

That is one hell of a combination of dodgy meds he's on!!!

+1

There will be major problems associated with obtaining the narcotics.

There may well be good reason for these meds being prescribed and if so the individual may need to re-think plans.

[Ianatlarge]

My friend is retired military, got knocked around more than a bit, now, in his later life, dealing and living with the problems involved.

If he came with his own meds, and letters and prescriptions from his Drs in Australia, would he be able to obtain these drugs legally in Thailand?

[harrry]

My friend is retired military, got knocked around more than a bit, now, in his later life, dealing and living with the problems involved.

If he came with his own meds, and letters and prescriptions from his Drs in Australia, would he be able to obtain these drugs legally in Thailand?

He cannot bring anything with morphine or codeine in even with a doctors prescription. (serious charges posible even though unlikely.) He may but not very likely be able to get them from a hospital only.

Lyrica is available about 70 baht a 75mg capsule.

[thaiexpat21]

My friend is retired military, got knocked around more than a bit, now, in his later life, dealing and living with the problems involved.

If he came with his own meds, and letters and prescriptions from his Drs in Australia, would he be able to obtain these drugs legally in Thailand?

He would be very unwise to attempt to bring more than a 3O day supply. All medication should be in the original packaging and properly labelled with the name of the supplying pharmacy, the patients name, and dosage/frequency. For the narcotic medication it is essential that a Drs letter/prescription is available.

Re-supply of the narcotic medication can on be achieved via a Thai hospital doctors prescription. Many(most) would be unwilling to supply.

Edited November 7, 2013 by thaiexpat21

[thaiexpat21]

Some information on "importing" medication to Thailand here

http://narcotic.fda.moph.go.th/faq/faq.php#20120519114153

[sirchai]

It's very difficult to get refills of pain medications. Usually they only want to give you Tramadol which is nowhere as strong as Percocet. I have severe back pain by was not able to get any pharmacy's to refill my Percocet. I do understand the need to keep tight control as these pills are abused by some. Even at the hospitals they refused, saying Gov't regulations don't allow them to.

The problem with such strong painkillers is that too many people are addicted to it. ( Please see the problems in the States)

I know that there're many people out there, who tell a story about their "severe back pain", just to get the kick out of the drug. There';s no difference to heroine, or morphine.

Docs become rich in westernized countries, as all patients will be back to get their new prescription. Many Thai doctors know that and they don't prescribe any opiates.

Would you bring "your medicine" for three weeks to Thailand ,without an understandable explanation, in form of an official letter, you'd be a drug smuggler, if they'd find them.

Medicine that type should never be prescribed for a longer period of time,as it makes people addicted.-

[Theequation]

My experience (10 months) no codeine, contin available legally. Illegally, I don't know. That said u can buy tramadol OTC, fairly cheap. It's a fairly potent opioid analgesic.

You can buy paracetamol/codeine combos OTC in Cambodia, btw...and in Costa Rica.

I was able to get diazepam at a govt. hospital, because THEY don't do alprazolam (Xanax). Also cheap.

Good idea to bring existing prescription bottles, doctor letter, etc.

I brought 3 months worth of a prescribed med (in the legit Target Pharmacy bottle), which is illegal here, but DID NOT declare it upon arrival. That may have been risky, but I had no problem.

Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[thaiexpat21]

My experience (10 months) no codeine, contin available legally. Illegally, I don't know. That said u can buy tramadol OTC, fairly cheap. It's a fairly potent opioid analgesic.

You can buy paracetamol/codeine combos OTC in Cambodia, btw...and in Costa Rica.

I was able to get diazepam at a govt. hospital, because THEY don't do alprazolam (Xanax). Also cheap.

Good idea to bring existing prescription bottles, doctor letter, etc.

I brought 3 months worth of a prescribed med (in the legit Target Pharmacy bottle), which is illegal here, but DID NOT declare it upon arrival. That may have been risky, but I had no problem.

Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

MS - Contin

Most defiantly NOT available OTC and anyone attempting purchasing or being in illegal possession would run real risks of long term imprisonment.

[Theequation]

My experience (10 months) no codeine, contin available legally. Illegally, I don't know. That said u can buy tramadol OTC, fairly cheap. It's a fairly potent opioid analgesic.

You can buy paracetamol/codeine combos OTC in Cambodia, btw...and in Costa Rica.

I was able to get diazepam at a govt. hospital, because THEY don't do alprazolam (Xanax). Also cheap.

Good idea to bring existing prescription bottles, doctor letter, etc.

I brought 3 months worth of a prescribed med (in the legit Target Pharmacy bottle), which is illegal here, but DID NOT declare it upon arrival. That may have been risky, but I had no problem.

Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

MS - Contin

Most defiantly NOT available OTC and anyone attempting purchasing or being in illegal possession would run real risks of long term imprisonment.

Hoping I'm not misunderstood, my first statement was intended to convey "...no codeine, or contin are available legally..." I too, am most "defiant", in fact I just finished watching season one of "Defiance" this evening...

[Ulic]

You can not buy Viagra or similar drugs over the counter. Anything you can not purchase on request from the pharmacy can be obtained at Chulalongkorn Hospital of The Thai Red Cross Society on Rama IV Road in Bangkok or other hospitals throughout Thailand. Some of the generic drugs for Diabetics are not available, just the more expensive originals e.g. Piogliclazide (forgive me if I spell it wrongly) is only available as Actos, not the Australian derivative.

You may not be able to buy Viagra meds etc over the counter but everyone does it anyway, wink, wink.

Went to to the hospital once to get a prescription for generic Viagra. They just showed me the door saying,

"no need go to any pharmacy"

[KOZMO]

If you have a bottle of your meds within the same year all you need to do is show it at any hospital and you should have no problems. I saw the doc and told him what I was taking the meds for and he just punched it in. IT WAS CHEAPER AT ST. MARY'S in Korat then the local pharmacy and they were all controlled substances.

[Ianatlarge]

Thanks for the info. Looks to be more difficult than I at first thought.