Thailand Prescription drug cost.

[maump]

I am just moving on to medicare insurance..... realizing that my normal prescription meds will cost me 5 times more on medicare part d than my current policy and 3 times more than paying cash. (costplusdrugs.com)

I decided to look online at thailand prices just for shits and grins. I was surprised to see my routine generic medications were all more expensive in thailand than USA. that made no sense to me.

How do you old guys do your routine meds? insurance? cash? costs ok?

I was looking on bangkokdrugs.com for prices.
I do alpha & beta blocker, 2 cholesterol meds all generic....

[jvt22222]

Pre-Covid for several years I made a 3-4 week trip to Phnom Penh… I worked there 22 years ago and was always fun going back … so different than Pattaya … one must-do was buying a year's supply of 7-8 medications at my favorite pharmacy …the amount of savings compared to Thailand prices was enough to pay for my plane ticket!! Amazing but true.

[Armando]

The price of many prescription drugs in Thailand is controlled by the government. Often doctors will only prescribe the Thai generic version.

I have an older friend in Bangkok who requires a lof of medication for a variety of ailments. He gets them from a pharmacy in India at a fraction of the cost and swears by them!

[2lz2p]

I can't speak for your particular medications, but a while back I needed to take an anti viral medication for a 6 month period.

The medicine at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya was about 19,000 baht for a bottle of 28 tablets - it was from a a pharmaceutical company in India. My USA health insurance (carried over from employer into retirement) covers me here in Thailand for 85% of the cost of medicines so long as they are equivalent to to medicines approved by the US FDA and require a doctor's prescription in the US.

When I checked, the identical medication (different brand name) met those conditions. I did a search to compare the price in the US. Although the composition was the same, this identical medicine was US$3,000+ for a bottle of 28 tablets - over 5 times the cost I paid in Thailand.

Perhaps your particular medicines may be available at a lower cost under a different brand name.

As for prices shown by Bangkok Drug, I do order some non-prescription drugs online from them as their cost is much lower than at Fascino or D Pharmacy even with the addition of a shipping cost from Bangkok. When I place an online order, the medicine usually arrives overnight.

[maump]

I appreciate the info. I am taking cheap generics.

Carvedilol (coreg)
ramipril (Altace )
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
ezetimibe (Zetia)

IN USA cash price mail order from a low overhead pharmacy is 35$ a quarter....... plus cialis and viagra generics which are under 1$ a pill...

IF you are in the USA and taking meds, check out Cost plus drugs .com.

[Moses]

check out Cost plus drugs .com.

Next time please don't be shy to publish normal URLs. I don't care about URLs that helps to other users, if this URL is published by long time members. Usability is more important.

[latintopxxx]

maump....Im a bit surprised at this topic, sounds like you are have only become aware of the situation recently....its been well broadcasted that americans pay a lot more for their meds...a situation that for some reason is tolerated....have over the last 20 years read multiple articles of people sourcing from canada and mexico at a fraction of the cost.

[Dodger]

......this identical medicine was US$3,000+ for a bottle of 28 tablets - over 5 times the cost I paid in Thailand.

Before I paid $3,000 dollars for 28 tablets of anything (I don't care what they were for) I'd purchase a 10 day Caribbean Cruise...party my ass off.. and then jump overboard on the return.

[Dragonman]

I appreciate the info. I am taking cheap generics.

Carvedilol (coreg)
ramipril (Altace )
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
ezetimibe (Zetia)

IN USA cash price mail order from a low overhead pharmacy is 35$ a quarter....... plus cialis and viagra generics which are under 1$ a pill...

IF you are in the USA and taking meds, check out Cost plus drugs .com.

I pay the equivalent of US$10.50 for specialist consultation and four similar generics for 3 months supply under the national health system here (Taiwan). I've never understood why Americans have accepted the profiteering from US pharmaceutical firms when new drug developments are subsidized by US taxpayers (see, e.g., "US Tax Dollars Funded Every New Pharmaceutical in the Last Decade,":https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/us-tax-dollars-funded-every-new-pharmaceutical-in-the-last-decade, September 2, 2020).

[maump]

I've never understood why Americans have accepted the profiteering from US pharmaceutical firms when new drug developments are subsidized by US taxpayers (see, e.g., "US Tax Dollars Funded Every New Pharmaceutical in the Last Decade,":https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/us-tax-dollars-funded-every-new-pharmaceutical-in-the-last-decade, September 2, 2020).

We are all very pissed about it. but congress in in the pocket of corporations here and the pharmaceutical industry is one of the worst (next to military congressional industrial complex). as many know, our federal healthcare system Medicare is not allowed to negotiate for drug discounts by LAW. so when you retire, your cost for medicines increase when you enter the "mandatory" federal health system.
.
we do not have a democracy we have a plutocracy.

the purpose of this thread was to ask about drug prices in Thailand. when I searched online to compare Thai to USA prices, it was quite a bit more in Thailand than here for the generics medications I take.

[latintopxxx]

oh woe is me...wheres the violin...u still live in a great country....still have thousands trying to hop over the border every day...so stop whining

[Dragonman]

the purpose of this thread was to ask about drug prices in Thailand. when I searched online to compare Thai to USA prices, it was quite a bit more in Thailand than here for the generics medications I take.

If you were looking at imported generic versions of the same medications that you take in the US, then pharmacy mark-ups (including tax) for imported generics are between 20-150%, compared with international reference prices. Other pharmacies may have cheaper prices than Bangkok Drugs, and Thai-made versions of the generics are cheaper than imported versions.

[Dodger]

maump,

I'm sure you're aware that the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. is higher than any other country in the world. This is because the pharmaceutical industry, which is the largest industry in the U.S., provides huge cash donations to U.S politicians who don't ever want to put controls over the cost of prescription drugs for fear that the donations will stop. Plain and simple.

The article I've linked below, says that Thailand has some of the cheapest prices in the world for some generic and branded products. Unsurprisingly, the results show staggeringly high prices for many of the same drugs in the US.

The only thing I used a Thai pharmacy for are band aids and boner boosters - and both cost a quarter of the price as in the U.S.

https://www.pacificprime.co.th/blog/the-global-drug-price-disparity/

[latintopxxx]

....desantis in florida is bucking that trend...

[Dodger]

...desantis in florida is bucking that trend...

Of course he is. because the age of the average voter in Florida is around 107...LOL

He's just trying to buck himself into the Whitehouse.

[francois]

maump,

I'm sure you're aware that the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. is higher than any other country in the world. This is because the pharmaceutical industry, which is the largest industry in the U.S., provides huge cash donations to U.S politicians who don't ever want to put controls over the cost of prescription drugs for fear that the donations will stop. Plain and simple.

The article I've linked below, says that Thailand has some of the cheapest prices in the world for some generic and branded products. Unsurprisingly, the results show staggeringly high prices for many of the same drugs in the US.

The only thing I used a Thai pharmacy for are band aids and boner boosters - and both cost a quarter of the price as in the U.S.

https://www.pacificprime.co.th/blog/the-global-drug-price-disparity/

If one has medical insurance in USA the cost of drugs can be very inexpensive. Also one can use discount cards at supermarkets, etc, where the cost of drugs are again inexpensive.

[latintopxxx]

francois.....for heavens sake....i know u r french so automatically r at a disadvantage...stop posting inane crapola...obviously if someone has medical insurance then the meds will be subsidised....as in cheaper...

dodger....florida is great...have had 3 holidays in ft lauderdale...lotsa younger guys there on the hunt for older guys...fun to be had...

[maump]

If you were looking at imported generic versions of the same medications that you take in the US, then pharmacy mark-ups (including tax) for imported generics are between 20-150%, compared with international reference prices. Other pharmacies may have cheaper prices than Bangkok Drugs, and Thai-made versions of the generics are cheaper than imported versions.

I am not looking for imported generics, just generics. my medications are very common, long time generics. here is what I found based on comparing Bangkok online drugs store and cash at Costplusdrugs.com. NO insurance

some of you old guys are taking these...... are these the kind of prices you pay?

Comparison for 90 day supply from USA cash pharmacy Delivery $5 (total order):

Dilatrend [Carvedilol] 6.25 mg [Sheet of 10 tablets] ฿190.00 x 18 = ฿3420 / 90 day USA $11.40 /180 or ฿419
Ezetrol [Ezetimibe] 10 mg [Sheet of 10 tablets] ฿550.00 x 9 = ฿4950 USA $8.40/90 ฿309
Rosuvastatin Sandoz 20 mg ฿910.00 x 3 = ฿[B]2730 USA $6.60/90 ฿243
Ramipril (generic ACE inhibitor) Not listed online in Thailand? USA $7.50/90 or ฿276
Sildenafil Sidegra [Sildenafil] 100 mg [Box of 4 tablets] ฿180.00 USA $10.20/90 100mg or ฿375
CIalis generic Not listed online in Thailand USA 90 x 20 mg 12.40 or ฿456

[Dragonman]

I am not looking for imported generics, just generics. my medications are very common, long time generics. here is what I found based on comparing Bangkok online drugs store and cash at Costplusdrugs.com. NO insurance

some of you old guys are taking these...... are these the kind of prices you pay?

Comparison for 90 day supply from USA cash pharmacy Delivery $5 (total order):

Dilatrend [Carvedilol] 6.25 mg [Sheet of 10 tablets] ฿190.00 x 18 = ฿3420 / 90 day USA $11.40 /180 or ฿419
Ezetrol [Ezetimibe] 10 mg [Sheet of 10 tablets] ฿550.00 x 9 = ฿4950 USA $8.40/90 ฿309
Rosuvastatin Sandoz 20 mg ฿910.00 x 3 = ฿[B]2730 USA $6.60/90 ฿243
Ramipril (generic ACE inhibitor) Not listed online in Thailand? USA $7.50/90 or ฿276
Sildenafil Sidegra [Sildenafil] 100 mg [Box of 4 tablets] ฿180.00 USA $10.20/90 100mg or ฿375
CIalis generic Not listed online in Thailand USA 90 x 20 mg 12.40 or ฿456

The Thai generic of Ramipril is called Ramicard.

As a non-American national, I was interested/surprised at the prices you quoted for your medications from Costplusdrugs.com having, like others, always assumed that people in the US paid exorbitant prices for their medications - with or without insurance. Costplusdrugs, however, is not representative of US pharmacies, is it?

It started business (as Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company) only in January 2022, i.e., it is less than 12 months old. It is intended to manufacture and distribute its own generic drugs, thus skipping the middlemen with the intention of "disrupting the pricing of as many drugs as we possibly can" and "disrupt the drug industry and to do our best to end ridiculous drug prices" (https://costplusdrugs.com/mission/). According to Forbes, Mark Cuban's "Real Time Net Worth as of 9/5/22 is $4.6 Billion, and he ranks #578 in the world today" (https://www.forbes.com/profile/mark-cuban/?sh=62b4a8ff6a04). The firm does not accept medical insurance payments.

Costplus works with a "trusted fulfillment partner, Truepill" that "provides best-in-class pharmacy services" (https://costplusdrugs.com/providers/). Truepill states that "in 2019, we were proud to be featured in the Forbes “Next Billion-Dollar Startup” list (https://truepill.com/company).

The answer to your repeated question, therefore, is that Thai drugstores cannot compete in selling generic medications - imported or otherwise - at lower costs than a single, new, US-based pharmaceutical company with a billionaire founder and a trusted fulfillment partner that is also in the billionaire class. I am sure, however, posters - American and otherwise - will be interested to learn whether Costplus Drugs makes overseas deliveries.

[Dodger]

...... I am sure, however, posters - American and otherwise - will be interested to learn whether Costplus Drugs makes overseas deliveries.

I was always under the assumption (right or wrong) that individuals could carry up to a 90 day supply of prescription medications for their own personal use when traveling abroad, although shipping or mailing prescription drugs to another country was illegal. I could be wrong.

[francois]

I was always under the assumption (right or wrong) that individuals could carry up to a 90 day supply of prescription medications for their own personal use when traveling abroad, although shipping or mailing prescription drugs to another country was illegal. I could be wrong.

Mailing drugs to Thailand is not permitted, although people do it.

People can carry their personal prescriptions with them. I carry more than the allowed amounts (whatever that may be) and never questioned, which is a common practice.

[maump]

The Thai generic of Ramipril is called Ramicard.

As a non-American national, I was interested/surprised at the prices you quoted for your medications from Costplusdrugs.com having, like others, always assumed that people in the US paid exorbitant prices for their medications - with or without insurance. Costplusdrugs, however, is not representative of US pharmacies, is it?

The answer to your repeated question, therefore, is that Thai drugstores cannot compete in selling generic medications - imported or otherwise - at lower costs than a single, new, US-based pharmaceutical company with a billionaire founder .

Everything you said is true as best I know with some caveats. Mark Cuban is one of many newer middlemen marketing direct to people to make money undercutting the completely fucked-up established pharmaceutical industry in usa. One really important thing is all the discounts in USA are on limited drugs. many Brand drugs are incredibly expensive. (truvada was my specific horror story, generic drugs developed with government research money were combined and Gilead marketed it at over $2000 a month with some copay program help for poor people)

another company is GoodRx. you can get a discount code from them an go to your local pharmacy and get similar low prices (they are a middle man, and make money from you buying thru them)

Walmart also started (10 year ago?) competing on many common medications. $4 for 30 days $10 for 90 days on the medications I take.

These companies are convenient, because their discounts are local not mail order. Cost+ is mail order on line.

Sometimes these companies are cheaper than costplusdrugs. But Cost+ is consistently the lowest or very near lowest.

I am not in anyway trying to criticize the Thai system. I am genuinely trying to learn and understand medical costs in other countries of interest. I'm a little bit of a numbers geek and am comparing retirement locations (Thailand, Vietnam Cambodia Philippines, Colombia) as a mental diversion. I don't really trust "International Living".

When i was in Colombia, drug prices were all over the map! (generic Pepto-bismal was terribly expensive)

Drug cost and how it interfaces with medical insurance is a new area of research since i am exploring Medicare cost options in USA. (I was genuinely surprised that my drug cost will go up 5X if I use medicare part D insurance in USA).

For you expat USA people, medical insurance and drug costs are of interest to me. Any info/advice appreciated

If I go with Medicare Advantage program, most offer $50 to $100,000 coverage when overseas (emergency coverage, not medical tourism)

so much to learn!

[Dragonman]

I was always under the assumption (right or wrong) that individuals could carry up to a 90 day supply of prescription medications for their own personal use when traveling abroad, although shipping or mailing prescription drugs to another country was illegal. I could be wrong.

There is no hard and fast rule about how much medication travelers can take with them. National laws vary but are generally in the range of 30 to 90 days of medication for travelers' personal consumption, and may include differing amounts depending on whether the medication is or is not accompanied by a physician's prescription. Similarly, countries may have laws allowing the importation (i.e., having them shipped from abroad) of medications under specified conditions.

However, carrying some common OTC medications containing opioid-derivatives such as tramadol and codeine, etc., can get you imprisoned in place like Greece, Dubai, etc., unless you are also carrying a prescription. Even carrying any prescription drugs containing an opioid-derivative can get you into trouble, e.g., a British women was arrested in Egypt when airport Customs found several hundred Tramadol painkillers in her luggage.

Thai embassy websites publish information on travel with prescription medicines into and out of Thailand, including the maximum in each medication you can only bring. They have to be in their original packaging, though.

As countries post information online about what can and cannot be taken into a country, it make sense to do some research before traveling. I understand that staying in Bangkok or Bali prisons is not a pleasant experience.

[maump]

As countries post information online about what can and cannot be taken into a country, it make sense to do some research before traveling. I understand that staying in Bangkok or Bali prisons is not a pleasant experience.

Other than a couple Xanax and Ambien for plane sleeping from very old prescriptions... I don't ever carry anything interesting..... Unless prescription cialis and testosterone are a problem.. I even bought a new suitcase for returning from Colombia. the old one was damaged (courtesy of Avianca) and i was afraid of marijuana smell and dogs.

[Dragonman]

Other than a couple Xanax and Ambien for plane sleeping from very old prescriptions... I don't ever carry anything interesting..... Unless prescription cialis and testosterone are a problem.. I even bought a new suitcase for returning from Colombia. the old one was damaged (courtesy of Avianca) and i was afraid of marijuana smell and dogs.

This is an example of where prescription medications permitted in one country are strictly controlled in another. I believe Xanax and Ambien are classified as Class 4 drugs in the US, but American classifications do not apply elsewhere (which often comes as a surprise to some, I believe). Even carrying US OTC medications containing Codeine or Tramadol, for example, can land you in trouble in countries such as Greece, Egypt, Dubai - even if you're only in transit.

Both Xanax (and its generic Alprazolam) and Ambien (or Zolpidem or Zopiclone) are controlled substances in Thailand. They are legally available only on doctor's prescription, and only from pharmacies with a special license to fill such prescriptions. No pharmacy will sell it to you without a prescription (probably from a Thai medical practitioner). They, and you, will be fined if they sell it to you. Similarly, Valium, Rohypnol, etc., cannot be sold to you without a prescription. They are all classed as narcotic drugs. Thailand has strict regulations about who can take these drugs into Thailand (e.g., people going there fore medical treatment), and how much they can import (30-days supply).

Other countries, such as the UK, Egypt, also control the import of these drugs by travelers. Australia goes as far as requiring medical practitioners to inform the Department of Health when prescribing alprazolam to a patient who requires a prescription for a long period. This must be done for each patient and only one practitioner can prescribe the medication for the patient at any one time. Alprazolam, Zolpidem and Zopiclone are all Category 4 medications in Taiwan and very tightly controlled.

Traveling with "very old prescriptions" is not advised. I don't know if it is a peculiarity of US prescriptions but those issued in other countries often have a use-by date. A standard prescription in the UK is valid for 6 months from the date on the prescription (unless the medicine prescribed contains a controlled medicine). Australian prescriptions last 12 months, I believe. Mine in Taiwan cover 28 days of medication and then expire, though I get three consecutive prescriptions at one time. If you are using very old prescriptions, then generally the amount of medication you bring must be consistent with the amount stated on the prescription.

Part of my job before I retired involved briefing business people being assigned abroad on what to do and what not to do, e.g., business etiquette and so on. It also included advice on healthcare related matters and what medications they could and could not take with them into other countries. Taking medication to help sleep while flying was one of the issues discussed, depending on the length of the flight. For example, use a long-acting medication like Ambien on a short flight is not advisable because you could find yourself too dazed to take care of yourself during an emergency or when you arrive at your destination. If you really want to sleep while flying, melatonin is said to be a better option.

With regard to being "afraid of marijuana smell and dogs," you were probably wise to buy a new suitcase. I know of a case where an American exchange student was stopped at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Japan and detained for three days because a sniffer dog detected the smell of the marijuana cigarette he had smoked before boarding his trans-Pacific flight.

[Armando]

They, and you, will be fined if they sell it to you. Similarly, Valium, Rohypnol, etc., cannot be sold to you without a prescription. They are all classed as narcotic drugs. Thailand has strict regulations about who can take these drugs into Thailand (e.g., people going there fore medical treatment), and how much they can import (30-days supply).
It wasn't always so difficult. I used to travel extensively from another country and for 3 or 4 years was prescribed rohypnol as a mild sleeping tablet for use on those trips. Probably 3 decades ago on a vacation in Bangkok, I thought I'd check if any pharmacy had them just to save me going to my doctor at home. In a pharmacy on Patpong 2, I inquired about the drug. The duty pharmacist said they would soon be made prescrption only drugs by the Thai government but he did have some he could sell me. He leaned below the counter and brought out a large bottle with l;ots of pills. "There's about 1,000 here. Will that be enough?"

[greid]

Not sure about costs in Thailand but noted he was from the states. He can check cash price in a variety of places such as walmart and costco (dont need to be a member to use} also a great website is www.goodrx.com which compares all the costs of all local pharmacies and even coupons that can be used to bring price down. ex: his carvedilol at Costco goes for $10 for 180 tabs. One of my meds costs $1900 for 90 days so get the generic from Canada for $90. check www.CIPA.com for a list of reliable canadian online pharmacies. Hope this helps.

[maump]

Well, all in all some intereting discussion, thank you

the world is a crazy place. as a future geriatric expat hoping for a new life in the land of smiles.... AND since some of the members are expat geriatric men living the good life in thailand taking cholesterial and blood pressure meds, this would be a no brainer question. but....

when i come this winter, i will bring 90+ day supply and continue exploring the internet.

[latintopxxx]

....really...blood pressure and cholesterrol meds are pretty basic...no need to be such a girl about it...

[maump]

....really...blood pressure and cholesterrol meds are pretty basic...no need to be such a girl about it...

555

[Mason45]

I have a house on the outskirts of Bangkok and a condo in Pattaya. Most of the pharmacies in Pattaya charge around 1,000 baht for my meds. If I go to a Fascino pharmacy in Pattaya the cost is 620 baht. Whereas the pharmacy closest to my home in Bangkok charges me 320 baht. I would be the only farang ln the estate where I live. So I assume I'm paying what the locals pay. It's a case of the poor farang tourist getting burnt again.

[maump]

....really...blood pressure and cholesterrol meds are pretty basic...no need to be such a girl about it...

remember, your time will come Tiktok, tiktok...

[poshglasgow]

Before I paid $3,000 dollars for 28 tablets of anything (I don't care what they were for) I'd purchase a 10 day Caribbean Cruise...party my ass off.. and then jump overboard on the return.

This made me laugh! What a swell party that would be!

"Have you heard?
It's in the stars
Next July we collide with Mars
Well, did you evah?
What a swell party, a swell party,
A swellegant, elegant party this is!

Eh, isn't that what Robert Maxwell did off the coast of Gran Canaria?