Prescription and Non-Prescription Drugs

[PERTURBED 0]

I'm taking high blood-pressure medicine and medicine for cholesterol. The costs of drugs here is very high. I take 10mg Norvasc and enquired at Boots and a few other places around town: 10mg X 10 pills was 500 baht. Not a lot of money, but when you add it to the other necessary drugs it can add up.

 

What do you do when you live here?

[BigDUSA 71]

My health plan here in the US covers drugs. I plan on having them sent to LOS by my local pharmacy.

[redwood13 56]

My health plan here in the US covers drugs. I plan on having them sent to LOS by my local pharmacy.

There have been reports of Thai customs wanting payment of duties on imported drugs such as you describe.

 

Thus far the drugs I buy here are very inexpensive, probably cheaper than the postage from the US. I buy my drugs in Bangkok rather than Pattaya as I find the prices are lower for what I use. For example try KS Pharmacy on Sukhumvit just W. of Robinson's Dept. Store.

 

-redwood

[BigDUSA 71]

The two drugs I use for blood pressure cost $50USD per month in LOS. I pay $20 for them in the US. It probably would work out with a lot less hassle to just pay the $50 and be done with it.

[Pilot 0]

The two drugs I use for blood pressure cost $50USD per month in LOS. I pay $20 for them in the US. It probably would work out with a lot less hassle to just pay the $50 and be done with it.

If you can get your prescriptions through the VA, they will send them directly to the embassy for you to pick up. That way you won't have to deal with Thai customs.

[Eneukman 1]

I take pills to keep my blood pressure under control. When I was in the UK, I took bendrofluazide and atenolol.

 

Bendrofluazide is not available in Thailand but a doctor I spoke to gave me a prescription for Dichlotride. I get the 50mg version (not sure if there are others) and cut them in two. Cost is 3 baht per tablet.

 

In stead of atenolol, I was given prenolol 50 mg pills. Again, I cut them in half. Cost is 2 1/2 baht per tablet.

 

I get the pills from the pharmacy next to Tim's Beer Bar which also sells generic Cialis at a very good price. Last time I went the price was 600 baht for a pack of 4 though I think a price rise may be imminent.

 

Alan

[PERTURBED 0]

You can buy atenolol in Thailand but they don't know it by that name. Try Tenormin.

[csoday 0]

Do any of you know of a specific pharmacy in Bangkok that sells Atacand (blood pressure) I will be there for a few days before I go on to Pattaya and I'm getting low on supply.

[BigDUSA 71]

If you can get your prescriptions through the VA, they will send them directly to the embassy for you to pick up. That way you won't have to deal with Thai customs.

Thanks for the embassy "heads up". I currently don't use the VA for my medical care but I'm eligible as a disabled vet. Something to check into.

[Owen` 2]

For drugs of this type, alternatives are ALWAYS possible. There is never any one drug that is the only drug that will work for you. Talk to a doc about alternatives that are easily and cheaply available where you are.

 

There has been an attitude propagated by pharmaceutical companies over the years that once you find a drug that works for you, do not continue to explore. This just means they can keep prices higher by not enduring competition.

 

Docs will generally always be willing to prescribe some equivalent. If you find one that does not want to be bothered, look up the side effect profile for the drug you're taking and claim to be experiencing them. The doc will then get offer you alternatives. Pick the cheapest/most convenient.