Buying Medicine In Bangkok

[WillyL]

According to my Thai friends, there is a pharmacy in the Victory Monument area, that sells medicine much cheaper than other pharmacies. I have bought some Lipitor and Mecardis and found that the prices are really much lower than elsewhere. I asked the pharmacist why the cheaper price and she replied that they buy in bulk and direct from the wholesalers.

However, other pharmacists said that the medicine may be fake. But I have my doubts as this pharmacy is quite spacious and at any time there will be many customers, including pharmacists who buy to stock up their own businesses.

Do the Thai government check on pharmacies?

Are the selling of fake medicine rampant in Thailand?

Any comments?

[backflip]

No.

No, except meds for erectile dysfunction.

[Rinrada]

Sofradex....Uk National health Prescription.£6-50....visit to quack...

Bangers over the counter in BOOTS...115bt.

[Sheryl]

Actually if its the pharmacies I think they are, they are directly across the street from a major government hospital and widely used, have a very high volume of sales and reliable merchandise. I think thepart about buying direct from wholesalers is true but I also know for a fact, having witnessed it, that they at least sometimes get meds from contacts at the hospital pharmacy who sell to them sort of under the counter...for which reason they are often able to uncommon things other places don't stock.

Regarding counterfeits, they do exist, mostly popular brand-name drugs (ED drugs for sure). The best way to avoid these is to be sure to buy from a large pharmacy staffed by a real pharmacist which orders directly from manufacturer or pharmaceutical supplier. Little hole in the wall type places may stock fakes without even knowing it.

On the whole counterfeits are not too big a problem in Thailand but if you ever go to Cambodia, beware as it is rampant there. Mostly counterfeit French brands, brought in from Viet Nam.

[lopburi3]

As said some pharmacies do sell for wholesale price and Victory Monument area is well known as the supply point that many doctors use for there clinics. Have also noted one or two across from Chula on Rama 4 Road that I used in the past.

Counterfeit mediations are a real problem, especially (from news reports) antibiotic medications such as used for malaria but much more so upcountry than in Bangkok. Another worry is expiration dates and storage. Even if within date it may be severely understrength if stored at normal room temp (and I don't believe many pharmacies keep the air on at night). I have changed to obtaining from hospitals where at least the ISO certification may help to keep them fresh and air conditioning is the norm.

[leisurely]

I have used a pharmacy to buy Lamasil next door to Foodland. In boots it costs 1800 baht a pack , in the savepharmacy it is 1300 . I think what I am getting is genuine.......................

[lopburi3]

I have used a pharmacy to buy Lamasil next door to Foodland. In boots it costs 1800 baht a pack , in the savepharmacy it is 1300 . I think what I am getting is genuine.......................

If that is the same chain I am thinking about (stores outside Carrefour on Ratchada and Latphao) they do have good price and I am sure the product is real - but they do not always have everything and not sure they can order.