Diabetic supplies in Bangkok/Thailand

[Neil Johns]

Hi,

I'm hoping to move to Thailand in the near future, but, as a type 1 diabetic I'm worried about the availability and prices of my medication and peripherals. I would be very grateful if any users of this site can advise. I currently use Novomix 30 insulin cartridges in a pen-injector. I also take metformin and simvastatin tablets every day. Lastly, I use an Optium Medisense blood-testing machine, and will need to buy blood-testing strips compatible with this machine.

The research I've done online has so far suggested that such supplies are expensive in Thailand (as a UK resident I don't have to pay for prescriptions), and I'm concerned that a large monthly bill for these products may tip the balance of financial viability as far as emigrating goes.

Thanks in advance for any information.

[metisdead]

Moving to the Health forum for better answers.

[olddoc]

Hello Neil

As you have discovered health care can indeed be expensive in Thailand.

When working out the budget you should include the cost of medical insurance.

As I am sure you are aware the diabetes increases the risk of your suffering other problems and in particular those associated with the heart. You should attempt to obtain insurance which will provide cover amounting to at least 1 million Baht and preferably more.

You will, of course make a wise decision .

[Sheryl]

The metformin and simvastatin are no problem, there are inexpensive locally made generic equivalents, and no prescription needed.

NovoMix 30 Penfill and NovoMix 30 FlexPen are available but are imported brands so expensive. Exactly how expensive I can't say but it would be a bit more than the retail price in Europe or the UK.

I have to leave it to our many diabetic members to reply re the test strips/machine.

The previous poster's point about health insurance is very valid, please take it to heart. You would likely find it hard to get a local insurance policy and even if you did, they are extremely zealous (over-zealous) about disallowing things as pre-existing conditions on even the faintest grounds. So I would advise a UK or European based insurance where you are clear that cardiovascular conditions, strokes, kidney disease would be covered despite your pre-existing diabetes. If you cannot get that then need to self-insure by a least 5 million baht pout aside for catastrophic medical costs.

[bubbles]

Had to buy a FlexPen 3 before NYE 13, it cost 3500 baht all in including getting the doctor to sign off on it, had to do this through a hospital as well.

[asiaexpat]

My wife buys all her diabetic supplies at a local RX we cultivated to meet her needs. She uses One Touch Ultra tester and strips that our RX supplies at about half the cost in USA (Walgreens.) AccuCheck is readily available and the cheapest brand since much of it is made in Thailand. I would suggest getting a free AccuCheck tester through their promotions at your home country. She uses syringe and locally purchased insulin, so can not help with that. As for the meds, the wife takes both and they are very inexpensive in generic form. Our cost are much less than in USA overall.

[lopburi3]

Be aware that only some models test strips are available locally and there can be an issue of fake products even from Bangkok drug stores. I was sold such some 10 years ago and have not purchased locally since (as was just occasional usage for type 2 not an issue). Use caution in buying and check internet for known fake product numbers. Self testing is still not mainstream here from what I see available in drug stores but perhaps my sight is jaded.

[Sheryl]

Lopburi3, could you mention the models that are available to your knowledge? As I suspect OP will need to change testing machines in order to be able to get test strips here.

[lopburi3]

Sorry but do not have current knowledge as only used for infrequent testing some years ago and have obtained small supplies required from ebay in recent years. I do know Accu-check was a popular model but it was an older version as I had Aviva version which wife found much less painful as very little blood required but strips were never available on local market. One Touch Ultra could be obtained but not stocked everywhere and was the fake one time I had pharmacy order.