Buying Drugs in Thailand
Hello,
Buying drugs in Thailand is a brilliant idea. You can what you need for a very cheap prices. Just today, I went out and scored a bunch of different types and even threw in a trip to the dentist for good measure. When buying drugs in Thailand there are a few things you should be aware of. I’m talking about over the counter type stuff if you haven’t clued in yet aka don’t stock up before you leave like the travel clinic suggests.
If you just need simple drugs like headache pills, you can go to a random pharmacy. If you are living in an area and see some old timer expats, ask them where they pick up their prescriptions. Chances are they buy way more drugs than you do and know a reliable / genuine source. An old guy tipped me off to a place. I went there and they wanted 30 baht for 10 pills. Another gent wanted 50 baht for the same thing. The old guy sent me to a place that looked pricier but was actually cheaper.
If you’re getting something a little more serious, I recommend the hospital. The pharmacist that I go to couldn’t hook me up with the doxycycline. I bought 120 pills aka good for 3 months in Africa and then 1 month after as “wind down” or whatnot for 3,600 baht. That sounded really steep to me. It works out to ~27 baht or $0.95 a pill. I know for a fact they would have been way pricier in Canada. You can generally trust that a hospital is giving you what you paid for.
I talked to the Doctor who told me it was a waste of money. He said it’s like Laos. Laos has malaria but if you’re in Luang Prabang or Vientiane, no need. If you go trekking into the jungle for a few days and sleeping in mountains… Yeah you may want them. I remember reading somewhere that you basically have to sleep in a swamp in your birthday suit to really run a massive risk.
I basically bought them just because I knew if I didn’t, my mother would probably have a nervous break down worrying about the worst consequences. Also my aunt got a serious case on one of her trips to Africa so its already hit close to home. That said, I hope my liver doesn’t break down for taking an anti-biotic for ~4 months. Oh well, now we’re covered. What sucks is it increases sensitivity to sun… That kinda defeats the purpose of Zanzibar, yes?
I also bought some headache pills today. Something similar in Canada cost me $25 a pill. Here? $10 gets you 100 pills. Crazy, no? There are stories of counterfeit and expired pills being sold. I am sure it happens. Use common sense people. Basically if you have an upset stomach or a sore throat and go to get an anti-biotic, not so important where you pick it up and will probably work.
Saw a guy at the hospital day for a stomach ache, asked him if he tried a local pharmacy, said doesn’t trust it. Trust me, they work. You think people around here don’t get sick? They do. Do not even get me started on stomach pills. The travel clinic will sell you a 3-5 day prescription for ~$56CDN. I’ve been sick countless times because I try everything. Suffice to say I’ve always been taken care of and it has never cost me more than a few dollars.
If you have a specific heart medication or cholesterol or blood pressure. Go to a larger more established pharmacy to ensure you are getting exactly what you need. On the topic of the Dentist, can’t go wrong for $17.50US. One could argue that having freshly cleaned teeth is one of the best feelings in the world.
If you’re coming to Thailand, ask yourself if there is anything that you need. If so pick it up, once you leave Asia and hit North America or Europe, prices get significantly higher.
