OTC warfarin - pharmacies in chiang mai

[stephenterry]

Recently moved to chiang mai. Need to purchase warfarin, but all pharmacies I've tried want hospital prescription before they order. In pattaya I could walk into any pharmacy shop and buy OTC.

Anyone can advise where to buy?

[bunnaag]

same problem in Had Yai.Ifound only one pharmacy which sold warfarin.

[chiang mai]

Go to any hospital, McCormick is probably the cheapest and ask to see a doctor for a prescription, costs around THB 400 or so.

[Sheryl]

Warfarin does not require a prescription. Any pharmacy with a first grade pharmacist always on duty can sell it OTC. Suggest you try Fascino on Suthep Road.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fascino+pharmacy+suthep%4018.78894,98.97353&spn=0.007583,0.022724&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.224889,93.076172&z=16

[faraday]

Warfarin does not require a prescription. Any pharmacy with a first grade pharmacist always on duty can sell it OTC. Suggest you try Fascino on Suthep Road.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fascino+pharmacy+suthep%4018.78894,98.97353&spn=0.007583,0.022724&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.224889,93.076172&z=16

Do you have a link on what the legal categories are for Pharmaceuticals?

When occasionally I have needed something for insomnia, I've found that some pharmacies will sell you a hypnotic, while others won't.

Just interested on how the law is interpreted with medicine.

[Mobi]

My guess is that the pharmacies that tell you they can't sell it you without a prescription, don't have it in stock. Or maybe the counter assistant is too stupid to know what he can and cannot sell.

It is even possible they don't realise that Orfarin (the trade name for warfarin tabs used in Thailand) is actually warfarin - unlikely, but who knows?

As most people on Warfarin usually need to take it for the rest of their lives, the next time you go for a check up, why don't you ask your specialist to give you a letter in Thai stating that you need to be on warfarin, and the medical condition that necessitates this medication, etc etc.

When I was discharged after having my aortic valve repaced, the hospital gave me a form, in Thai, which stated the nature of my operation and all the medication I was on, and in particular, warfarin. I have found this document invaluable in all my subsequent dealings with myriad doctors in Thailand who have all copied it and put it on my medical records.

I could also use it at a pharmacy, but Fascino don't need anything.

[Sheryl]

Warfarin does not require a prescription. Any pharmacy with a first grade pharmacist always on duty can sell it OTC. Suggest you try Fascino on Suthep Road.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fascino+pharmacy+suthep%4018.78894,98.97353&spn=0.007583,0.022724&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.224889,93.076172&z=16

Do you have a link on what the legal categories are for Pharmaceuticals?

When occasionally I have needed something for insomnia, I've found that some pharmacies will sell you a hypnotic, while others won't.

Just interested on how the law is interpreted with medicine.

All hypnotics are controlled, prescription only; many are restricted to hospital pharmacies (category P2).

Warafrin is category "d" (same category as antibiotics):

Thailand FDA Category

P2 = Psychotropic Substance Schedule 2(วัตถุออกฤทธิ์ ในประเภท 2)

Sale restricted to Psychotropic Substance Schedule 2. Only hospitals can purchase directly from FDA - Ministry of Public Health.

P3 = Psychotropic Substance Schedule 3 (วัตถุออกฤทธิ์ ในประเภท 3) Sale restricted to Psychotropic Substance Schedule 3 licence Holder. A first grade pharmacist should be on duty. Supply to the public is on prescription only. Monthly and yearly purchase and sale report should be submitted to FDA - Ministry of Public Health.

P4 = Psychotropic Substance Schedule 4 (วัตถุออกฤทธิ์ ในประเภท 4)

Sale restricted to Psychotropic Substance Schedule 4 licence Holder. A first grade pharmacist should be on duty. Supply to the public is on prescription only. Monthly and yearly purchase and sale report should be submitted to FDA - Ministry of Public Health.

N2 = Narcotic Drug Schedule 2 (ยาเสพติดให้โทษประเภท 2)

Production and Import restricted to Narcotic Drug Schedule 2. Both holder and sales need to get permitted licence.

N3 = Narcotic Drug Schedule 3 (ยาเสพติดให้โทษประเภท 3)

Sale restricted to Narcotic Drug Schedule 3 licence holder. A first grade pharmacist should be on duty. Monthly and yearly purchase and sale report should be submitted to FDA - Ministry of Public Health

S = Special Controlled Drug (ยาควบคุมพิเศษ)

A first grade pharmacist shall be on duty at the premises selling modern drugs. Sale to public is on prescription only. Daily purchase and sale record required.

D = Dangerous Drug (ยาอันตราย)

A first grade pharmacist shall be on duty at the premises selling modern drugs, at all times, while the premises are open for operation. Daily purchase and sale record required.

NDD = Non Dangerous Drug (ยาทั่วไปไม่ได้อยู่ในกลุ่มวัตถุออกฤทธิ์ ยาเสพติด ยาควบคุมพิเศษหรืออันตราย)

A first grade pharmacist, second grade pharmacist, person engaging in the medical profession or person engaging in the modern medical practice in the branches of dentistry, obstetrics or nursing shall be on duty at the premises selling modern non dangerous drug

E-D = External Use-Dangerous Drug (ยาอันตราย ชนิดสำหรับใช้ภายนอก)

A first grade pharmacist shall be on duty at the premises selling modern drugs, at all times, while the premises are open for operation. Daily purchase and sale record required.

E = External Use-Non Dangerous Drug (ยาทั่วไป ชนิดสำหรับใช้ภายนอก ไม่ได้อยู่ในกลุ่มวัตถุออกฤทธิ์ ยาเสพติด ยาควบคุมพิเศษหรืออันตราย)

A first grade pharmacist, second grade pharmacist, person engaging in the medical profession or person engaging in the modern medical practice in the branches of dentistry, obstetrics or nursing shall be on duty at the premises selling modern non dangerous drugs

T = Traditional Drug (ยาแผนโบราณ)

Intended to be used in indigenous or traditional medical care. The control and registration of drugs in this group are less stringent than those for modern drugs.

The categorization for each drug is listed in Mims, a book any decent pharmacy should have. It is online at www.mims.com but you have to subscribe and certify that you are a health professional to get it. Otherwise just ask to see it at a pharmacy. If y uget a blank look, the person you are dealing with is not any grade of pharmacist.