Aspirin now a prescription drug ?

[ukrules]

I was out shopping today and popped into a random branch of a well known international pharmacy chain from the UK, I asked for some 'Bayer Aspirin' and was promptly told by the pharmacist that I need a prescription from a Doctor for this.

After the initial shock wore off I enquired 'what the hell is she talking about ?' and she told me that it's a new rule which was introduced at some point in the last few months

I wonder : Is this a new level of crazy even for Thailand or does this particular pharmacist need to take more or maybe less of her own meds ?

Edited September 19, 2015 by ukrules

[Jingthing]

I got that noise once at Boots trying to buy low dose aspirin for daily prevention therapy. Fairly recently too. But I wouldn't worry yet. I doubt many places care.

[brewsterbudgen]

I was just told that Boots don't stock it. Plenty of other pharmacies do; no prescription required.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Hello, moving topic to Health and Medicine forum.

[Pib]

I buy the 500Mg and 81Mg here in Thailand....got a bunch of 81mg tablets just a month or so ago in a real pharmacy. The 500Mg you can buy anywhere...you can buy it by the case if desired...buy it in pharmacies, Big C, Lotus, Makro, just about anywhere. No subscription required for either dosage level. Now getting the 81Mg aspirin will probably require you going to a "real pharmacy" versus so many of the current day pharmacies in Thailand malls which are really 90% Cosmetics/10% Drug Stores.

Edited September 19, 2015 by Pib

[h90]

Aspirin can be dangerous with dengue fever, so it might make sense.

But I wouldn't worry too much prescription or not, legal or illegal, that all has not much meaning in Thailand.

I doubt that the pharmacy that sells all the bodybuilder anabolics and 10 different viagra clones won't sell you the aspirin.

[ukrules]

I was just told that Boots don't stock it. Plenty of other pharmacies do; no prescription required.

Of course I got my Aspirin from a different privately owned pharmacy later in the day, the point I'm making here is that there appears to have been a change in the rules at some point.

It's probably only going to be enforced at the big multi nationals but it's still a recent change, quite a concerning one as far as I'm concerned and I'd like to know why, Aspirin is a very useful drug.

Also they did have it stock at the branch of Boots which I went to earlier, I could see it on the shelf right behind the counter, they just wouldn't sell it.

Maybe this has been the rule for some time now and I didn't know about it because I rarely go into the chain pharmacies but today I just happened to be walking past one when I remembered I'm running low on Aspirin.

[Jingthing]

It is a possibility that something might be happening. I would suggest stocking up on the Aspent and see what happens.

[uptheos]

Aspirin can be dangerous with dengue fever, so it might make sense.

But I wouldn't worry too much prescription or not, legal or illegal, that all has not much meaning in Thailand.

I doubt that the pharmacy that sells all the bodybuilder anabolics and 10 different viagra clones won't sell you the aspirin.

Might make sense to ban it because of Dengue Fever, you're having a laugh aren't you.

If they banned every drug that might have an adverse on zillions of conditions, there would be none to buy!

Edited September 19, 2015 by uptheos

[ukrules]

It is a possibility that something might be happening. I would suggest stocking up on the Aspent and see what happens.

This is what I'm thinking. When they do this the first companies to comply are the large ones, then it trickles down from there as the distributors, wholesalers and small privately owned pharmacies eventually run out of stock.

The same thing happened with pseudoephedrine in cold medicines a couple of years back. It was the one thing which would make a big difference when you have a cold. It started at the large companies and worked its way down the supply chain over six months or so. Apparently you can't get it now.

[CharlieH]

I would suggest a change of staff was more likely than a change of regs. Never had an issue buying Asprin, ever.

[uptheos]

There will only be M&M's for pain in the not so distant future!

[ukrules]

I would suggest a change of staff was more likely than a change of regs. Never had an issue buying Asprin, ever.

Enjoy it while it lasts, I googled this and it's come up before.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799378-thailand-7-more-countries-form-taskforce-against-supply-of-drug-precursors/

He said the UN also noted that the use of acetic anhydride in aspirin as a heroin precursor was growing and urged Asian countries to enact laws to control the narcotic precursors. (MCOT online news)

Change is coming.

[oncearugge]

It is a possibility that something might be happening. I would suggest stocking up on the Aspent and see what happens.

This is what I'm thinking. When they do this the first companies to comply are the large ones, then it trickles down from there as the distributors, wholesalers and small privately owned pharmacies eventually run out of stock.

The same thing happened with pseudoephedrine in cold medicines a couple of years back. It was the one thing which would make a big difference when you have a cold. It started at the large companies and worked its way down the supply chain over six months or so. Apparently you can't get it now.

Pseudoephedrine is a precursor used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.

That is why it has been removed from the market not only in Thailand but the majority of Western countries.

Pseudoephedrine is still available on prescription but most doctors are reluctant to prescribe as there are alternatives which are less likely to be abused.

[ukrules]

It is a possibility that something might be happening. I would suggest stocking up on the Aspent and see what happens.

This is what I'm thinking. When they do this the first companies to comply are the large ones, then it trickles down from there as the distributors, wholesalers and small privately owned pharmacies eventually run out of stock.

The same thing happened with pseudoephedrine in cold medicines a couple of years back. It was the one thing which would make a big difference when you have a cold. It started at the large companies and worked its way down the supply chain over six months or so. Apparently you can't get it now.

Pseudoephedrine is a precursor used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.

That is why it has been removed from the market not only in Thailand but the majority of Western countries.

Pseudoephedrine is still available on prescription but most doctors are reluctant to prescribe as there are alternatives which are less likely to be abused.

See post #14, it looks like it's the same reason they're coming after Aspirin.

[ttthailand]

Perhaps since it is located behind the counter it requires a pharmacists to sell it to you. A normal cashier can not sell. Without a pharmacists on duty many drugs can't be sold.

[Farma]

The OP probably spoke to a pharmacist assistant.

Aspirin is OTC and can only be handed out by a licenced pharmacist. That is the only restriction for it.

It's possible the shop pharmacist was away when he asked.

This info came from a licenced pharmacist who I just asked.

[SantiSuk]

Not that much of a concern when local Thai-style doctor clinics will write you a prescription for a van load of stuff for probably no more than 100 baht (provided you have an appropriate need).

[oncearugge]

It is a possibility that something might be happening. I would suggest stocking up on the Aspent and see what happens.

This is what I'm thinking. When they do this the first companies to comply are the large ones, then it trickles down from there as the distributors, wholesalers and small privately owned pharmacies eventually run out of stock.

The same thing happened with pseudoephedrine in cold medicines a couple of years back. It was the one thing which would make a big difference when you have a cold. It started at the large companies and worked its way down the supply chain over six months or so. Apparently you can't get it now.

Pseudoephedrine is a precursor used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.

That is why it has been removed from the market not only in Thailand but the majority of Western countries.

Pseudoephedrine is still available on prescription but most doctors are reluctant to prescribe as there are alternatives which are less likely to be abused.

See post #14, it looks like it's the same reason they're coming after Aspirin.

Best swot up on some Chemistry before opining !

Edited September 19, 2015 by oncearugge

[noahvail]

The precursor explanation sounds correct. There is another reason, though. The west, headed by the UK NIH, has been trying to get aspirin banned for about 15 years for infants and teens.

The attempts to ban aspirin for those 19 years of age and younger, stems from its strong association with Reye's syndrome, an acquired encephalopathy. I suspect that heart patients (me included) will still be able to get a script for a month's worth of 81 mg aspirin, though you'll probably have to take a solemn pledge not to give any to the kiddies...unless they've got rheumatic fever, in which case a doc will script 100 mg. Somehow the powers that be have to write those items into the regulations.

[Tywais]

I would suggest a change of staff was more likely than a change of regs. Never had an issue buying Asprin, ever.

Enjoy it while it lasts, I googled this and it's come up before.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799378-thailand-7-more-countries-form-taskforce-against-supply-of-drug-precursors/

He said the UN also noted that the use of acetic anhydride in aspirin as a heroin precursor was growing and urged Asian countries to enact laws to control the narcotic precursors. (MCOT online news)

Change is coming.

A point of clarification. Acetic anhydride is used to synthesize aspirin and is not in the aspirin itself and can not be extracted even with pyrolysis. I made aspirin in high school organic chemistry class. Pseudoephedrine on the other hand can be extracted from meds such as Sudafed as they contain it. So, if anything, a stronger watch on the import and manufacturing of acetic anhydride could be possible but not aspirin in itself.

[Jingthing]

I would suggest a change of staff was more likely than a change of regs. Never had an issue buying Asprin, ever.

But others have, including me. But so far it seems rare.

BTW, when I was blocked it was from an official pharmacist with a badge.

Edited September 19, 2015 by Jingthing

[sandyf]

I was just told that Boots don't stock it. Plenty of other pharmacies do; no prescription required.

Of course I got my Aspirin from a different privately owned pharmacy later in the day, the point I'm making here is that there appears to have been a change in the rules at some point.

It's probably only going to be enforced at the big multi nationals but it's still a recent change, quite a concerning one as far as I'm concerned and I'd like to know why, Aspirin is a very useful drug.

Also they did have it stock at the branch of Boots which I went to earlier, I could see it on the shelf right behind the counter, they just wouldn't sell it.

Maybe this has been the rule for some time now and I didn't know about it because I rarely go into the chain pharmacies but today I just happened to be walking past one when I remembered I'm running low on Aspirin.

A few weeks back I went into about a dozen pharmacies in Pattaya looking for dispersible aspirin but they all offered the 81 mg tablets, not one of them mentioned anything about a prescription.

It would appear that the dispersible is not available in Thailand so I picked up a couple of hundred tablets while back in the UK.

[Farma]

Jingthing I refer you back to my post #18.

The information came from an official whos job it is to inspect pharmacies for compliance.

[Jingthing]

Jingthing I refer you back to my post #18.

The information came from an official whos job it is to inspect pharmacies for compliance.

Right and my experience seems to contradict your information.

[DogNo1]

Sorry but I'm an American and have never heard of dispersable aspirin before. What is it?

The most common strengths of aspirin sold in American and Japanese pharmacies are 81 mg for anti-coagulation and 325 mg for anti-inflammatory and pain relief purposes. My doctors in both Japan and Thailand have put me on 100 mg for anti-coagulation. They say that it's more effective than the 81 mg dose. Research results change, I guess.

[stoneyboy]

Sorry but I'm an American and have never heard of dispersable aspirin before. What is it?

The most common strengths of aspirin sold in American and Japanese pharmacies are 81 mg for anti-coagulation and 325 mg for anti-inflammatory and pain relief purposes. My doctors in both Japan and Thailand have put me on 100 mg for anti-coagulation. They say that it's more effective than the 81 mg dose. Research results change, I guess.

Dispersible means you put the tablet in water to dissolve and then drink it. Edited September 19, 2015 by stoneyboy

[h90]

Sorry but I'm an American and have never heard of dispersable aspirin before. What is it?

The most common strengths of aspirin sold in American and Japanese pharmacies are 81 mg for anti-coagulation and 325 mg for anti-inflammatory and pain relief purposes. My doctors in both Japan and Thailand have put me on 100 mg for anti-coagulation. They say that it's more effective than the 81 mg dose. Research results change, I guess.

Dispersible means you put the tablet in water to dissolve and then drink it.

Which is very common together with vitamin C, against a cold/flu and against hangover

[sandyf]

Sorry but I'm an American and have never heard of dispersable aspirin before. What is it?

The most common strengths of aspirin sold in American and Japanese pharmacies are 81 mg for anti-coagulation and 325 mg for anti-inflammatory and pain relief purposes. My doctors in both Japan and Thailand have put me on 100 mg for anti-coagulation. They say that it's more effective than the 81 mg dose. Research results change, I guess.

Dispersible means you put the tablet in water to dissolve and then drink it.

It is usually prescribed at 75mg in the UK for anyone who needs to take aspirin regularly.

[sandyf]

Aspirin can be dangerous with dengue fever, so it might make sense.

But I wouldn't worry too much prescription or not, legal or illegal, that all has not much meaning in Thailand.

I doubt that the pharmacy that sells all the bodybuilder anabolics and 10 different viagra clones won't sell you the aspirin.

Distorted information.

Aspirin can be risky in any situation where there is the potential for blood loss. When I needed a biopsy they wouldn't do it until I had stopped the aspirin for a week.