Need to find if these prescription drugs are available in Thailand and other medical/health related

[newarrior]

Losartan

Cialis

Cabergoline/Dostinex--for pituiatary tumors

Atorvastin

Ativan

How about these supplements ?

Fish Oi;

Melatonin

Iron

B Vitamins

Bioflavanoids

N Acteyl Carnitine

Amino Acids

Foods

Soy Protein Powder ?

Flax seed ground

Can you trust 911/EMS services in Thailand/BKK/Asia ?

Good medical insurance for someone under 60 ?

Can you keep insurnace at 60 ? 70 ? 80 ?

Anyone else hearing impaired ? How do you protect your ears in Asia ? Does this impact your social life ?

Good dentists in Bangkok ? Good hearing aids dispensers in Bangkok ?

Thanks !

[lopburi3]

I hope this is first research as it appears you do not have very much knowledge of conditions here if asking seriously about 911/EMS services - to put it mildly they are in there infancy and most people would take some transport of there own to nearest hospital unless in a road accident without a choice. Most of your questions can likely be answered with close reading of forum (few people if any could answer them all).

Most supplements will be available but often at higher cost than USA (probably always). They are sold as imported luxury type items in chain stores.

Drugs available will be listed here (for most countries - sign up is free) http://www.mims.com/Thailand

Insurance is available but will exclude current/previous conditions and should be obtained early. There is a section here on insurance.

Can say Atorvastin is normally available but not much less expensive than Lipitor.

[Sheryl]

Answer is a mixed bag.

Losartan = yes, and in locally made generic (Loranta and Losartan GPO). No prescription needed

Cialis = yes, but prescription only (in tourist areas, many street vendors openly selling but sometimes it is a sting and/or fake). Imported so expensive. If sidenafil (viuagra) works for you, that is available in less expensive locally made brand (also on prescription)

Cabergoline = not available in Thailand. Would have to use other drug such as bromcriptine. For doctors able to manage prolactinoma see http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645184-a-good-endocrinologist-in-bangkokis-it-possible-to-get-records-sent-over-from-the-uk/

Atorvastatin - yes, no prescription needed. Locally made brands inc. Atorsan and Chlovas

Ativan = not that brand, but same thing (lorazepam) is available under other brand names. Strictkly controlled substance though and can only legally obtain at a hospital pharmacy with prescription.

Fish Oil = yes

Melatonin = very difficult to find but sometimes can.

B Vitamins = yes

Bioflavanoids, N Acteyl Carnitine = not sure but I think GNC carries. May also find these soemtoimes at little kiosks in malls, quality uncertyain. Expensive.

Amino Acids = various powders sold in shops catering to body builders but I have heard expensive. A lot of people order online for this as well as other supplements. In general, supplements popular in the west are hard to get here at a reasonable price. Many people order from iHerb but there have been some issues on delivery to Thailand of late. Suggest you do a search on this forum for "iHerb" and "supplements" as well as specific supplement names.

In general supplements popular in the west are expensive here and sometimes hard to find.

Flax seed = some online health food stores have it e.g. good karma health food store phuket but you may have to do the grinding yourself.

Now for the really difficult things:

"Can you trust 911/EMS services in Thailand" - unfortunately, NO. In most parts of the country there are unscrupulous "rescue" services which collect the injured and take them to poor quality private hospitals for a kick back (really poor quality in many cases, some hospitals exist solely through this channel). Even the ambulances dispatched by government hospitals often have little working equipment and in general little is given in the way of first aid. Best recourse is to pre-select a private hospital and call for their ambulance directly but this presupposes you are conscious and able to choose.

In a few places like Koh Samui there are local rescue operations which are truly volunteer and quality but that is offset by the fact that they don't have much to work with in terms of hospitals they can bring you to. Generally speaking "EMS" is not really EMS here and ambulance/rescue services are something to be wary of unless affiliated with a specific trust worthy hospital.

Health insurance = locally issued policies tend to be comparatively expensive for what they offer in terms of coverage, as the pool of insured people is quite small (Thai citizens have universal coverage through government schemes). Be ware of policies with unrealistically low levels of coverage. Also be aware that regulation of health insurance companies here is much weaker than in the west. They can, for example, raise your rates or drop you at will if you have a lot of claims. In addition, most Thai insurers will nto enroll someone age 60 and over, though there may be a few exceptions.

International policies issued by companies based in Europe are another option and there are many of those, inc. a fair number that will enroll older people.

Whether locally based or international, any insurance policy is going to exclude all pre-existing conditions. From your list of meds, that is likely to be quite a range of things. For example, your history of hypertension and elevated blood lipids might preclude coverage for cardiovascular disease ad cerebrovascular disease, though it would depend on the judgement of the individual underwriter. Your pituatary tumor for sure, no one will cover anything related to.

Insurance premiums will steadily rise as you age, with any insurer. The international ones usually guaranatee lifetime cover as long as you keep up your premium payments.

There are a number of TV members with hearing impairment/using hearing aids, I suggest you do a search of this forum for discussions on that.

Good dental care here, lots of choice.

[NancyL]

Newarrior, it sounds like you may be considering relocation to Thailand. Be sure to bring a good supply of your medications with you, along with prescriptions from your doctor in case there are questions when you bring them in. Technically you're only suppose to bring a 30 day supply, but many report no problems in bringing in a 90 day or even six month personal supply. Sheryl has given you good advice on the ones that will be most problematic for you.

Be sure to purchase a good travel insurance policy before you come, one that will remain in force for as long as possible to give yourself time to sort out your options here. With your pre-existing conditions, you may find health insurance to be expensive for what you'll get since pre-existing conditions are likely to be excluded. You should have enough financial reserves to cover a heart attack, stroke or other condition once your travel insurance expires, because your health insurance may exclude coverage for these events given your history. That could cost upwards of a couple million baht depending upon the hospital. Definitely get a good personal accident policy. These can be issued up to age 100 and without regard to pre-existing conditions. The personal injury rate here is about twenty times higher than in the west and I'm not just referring to vehicle injury. Just slip-and-falls as a pedestrian and at home.

Soon after arrival, register at a good hospital near where you plan to live and establish relationships with an appropriate doctors. You're going to need this to continue to receive prescriptions for several of the medications Sheryl mentioned. This is better than listening to barstool buddies who tell you about backstreet pharmacies that will sell you these drugs without the need for prescription. Those drugs could be counterfeit, their supply isn't reliable and you could be arrested when you deal with them.

Edited May 30, 2015 by NancyL

[lopburi3]

The personal injury rate here is about twenty times higher than in the west and I'm not just referring to vehicle injury. Just slip-and-falls as a pedestrian and at home.

Agree with most of your post but the above I do not believe and do not believe there are any such records to support it even if it were true. I have fallen once in 40 years here and no damage other than pride; but no way I could make that a 20x factor.

Do give you the point that the conditions of many foreigners here - and public conditions - could well spell trouble - especially if including motorcycles. But the idea that many are going to be in an ER 20 times as often as at home is nonsense in my opinion.

[chubby]

Is it common to be asked for payment in advance, say while have a MI(heart attack) at an ER ? as a farang.

Lets say with vs without a presenting a Europe based health coverage or is something like Bupa more widely recognized and accepted by Bangkok hospitals?

Is this a factor in selecting an expat health plan coverage, eg which company is most accepted upfront for emergencies, at private/ public hospitals?

[lopburi3]

Believe most without proof of insurance will be asked for at least first night payment from hospitals if there is no relationship previously or they will be looking at movement to less costly facilities once stable. Normally treatment is made for emergency AFAIK.

Local insurance would be more likely to be recognized but major hospitals will have some knowledge of foreign plans and often have a list for those they offer service available. At other times they may be able to make telephone contact to arrange approval. Do not believe treatment will be withheld - and even payment can normally be delayed when required - but that may not be obvious talking to first contacts.

Am sure NancyL can speak better to this issue as she has contact with many people having the same questions and issues..

[Sheryl]

Private hospitals will indeed ask for an advance payment or proof of insurance before treating. In a life threatening situation if patient unconconscious and no one to ask, they will usually initiate treatment in the interim but I have known some to literally withold it and endanger the patient until they were certain of being paid. Some indurance companies have a direct billing arrangement with many Thai hospitals and this should be a factor in selecting a policy.

Government hospitals will not withold treatment but they will expect to be paid as well.