How much does prescription medication cost in Thailand without insurance?

Prescription medications in Thailand are much more affordable than in other countries, even without insurance. This includes drugs for chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and asthma.

Access to prescription medication is among the chief concerns for many expats moving to another country, especially if they have long-term health conditions. In this article, we will look at how you can access prescription medication in Thailand and whether health insurance will be necessary for you or not.

How much does prescription medication cost in Thailand?

Some prescription drugs can be 40 to 50% more affordable in Thailand compared to the global median price. This makes Thailand among the prime destinations for international medical tourists, on top of the country’s high-quality private healthcare sector.

In a survey by Medbelle, which compared the cost of 13 common prescription drugs in 50 countries across the world, prescription medication cost in Thailand stood below the global median by as much as 92.9%.

Although the survey provided only a rough comparison, it can give you some overall picture of how prescription drugs in Thailand could be more affordable compared to other countries. However, not all will be more affordable.

The survey showed the immunosuppressant drug, Prograf, to be 85.5% above the median in Thailand. The antidepressant drug, Prozac, was also priced 30.7% above the median.

That said, for anyone requiring certain prescription medication for their high cholesterol, high blood pressure, asthma, or anxiety; there might be some good news for you as medication for these conditions was shown to be more affordable in Thailand.

Here are some health conditions for which prescription medication costs less in Thailand.

High blood pressure

Zestril, or Lisinopril, a common prescription drug for treating high blood pressure, costs 58% less than the global median price in Thailand.

Anxiety and panic disorder

Xanax, or Alprazolam, a tranquilliser commonly prescribed for the management of anxiety and panic disorders, costs 77% less than the global median price in Thailand.

Asthma and COPD

Ventolin, or Salbutamol, a prescription drug for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is priced 46% lower than the global median price in Thailand.

Diabetes

Lantus, a brand of insulin glargine, is priced 4% less expensive than the global median price in Thailand. Insulin glargine is a synthetic version of human insulin used to manage Type I and Type II diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol

Lipitor, a brand of Atorvastatin, is 2% less expensive compared to the global median price in Thailand. Atorvastatin is a common statin medication used in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and to treat an abnormal cholesterol level.

Other prescription medications that cost less in Thailand

Some other prescription medications that cost less in Thailand include:

• Zithromax (Azithromycin), an antibiotic used for several bacterial infections, costs 36% less than the global median price in Thailand.
• Yasmin (Ethinylestradiol), an oral contraceptive, is priced 54% less than the global median price in Thailand.

How to get prescription medication in Thailand?

Certain prescription medications can be bought directly from pharmacies without visiting a doctor in Thailand. Medications that strictly require a prescription from doctors include specially controlled drugs and category 3 or 4 psychotropic substances.

Specially controlled drugs must be bought with a doctor’s prescription only. Some specially controlled drugs include:

• Prednisolone
• Dexamethasone
• Budesonide/Formoterol
• Fluticasone/Salmeterol
• Fluticasone furoate/vilanterol
• Sildenafil
• Aspirin 81 mg
• Aspirin/glycine (100/45)
• Pioglitazone
• Tacrolimus
• Olanzapine
• Quetiapine
• Risperidone

Psychotropic substances category 3 and 4 can be purchased from pharmacies with licenses to sell psychotropic substances only. You also need a doctor’s prescription to purchase these medications from pharmacies.

Examples include:

• Diazepam
• Lorazepam
• Clonazepam
• Clorazepate

What to note when purchasing your medication in Thailand

Regardless of what medication you purchase, please note that you should avoid buying your medication from pharmacies that are not staffed by licensed pharmacists.

Pharmacies in Thailand are required to have a licensed pharmacist in order to be eligible for business operations. Pharmacies will have the service hours of their pharmacists, along with their names, photos, and license numbers stated inside their establishment. Certain medications must be sold by pharmacists during pharmacists’ service hours only.

Please refrain from purchasing medication, especially those that are not over-the-counter medication, from pharmacies when there is no licensed pharmacist present or when the person handling your medication is not the licensed pharmacist.

Do I still need health insurance for healthcare in Thailand?

Generally, health insurance, whether public or private, is not a prerequisite to receiving healthcare or purchasing prescription medication in Thailand. However, if you are not covered by some form of insurance, your medical expenses must come out of your own pocket.

Although the Thai public healthcare system is generally very affordable, you may find only Thai-speaking staff. Many expats prefer private health facilities in Thailand as they usually have English-speaking medical staff and interpreters ready to assist them.

Private hospitals also generally have shorter waiting times and more comfortable accommodation.

However, as Thai healthcare has adopted a dual-pricing system, this means expats and foreign patients could be charged a higher price compared to locals. This is why a private health insurance plan is highly recommended for any visitors coming to Thailand.

For over 20 years, Pacific Prime has assisted expats from across the world in securing health insurance plans that work best for them. We work with global top insurers to ensure our clients have the best selections of insurance plans they can choose from.

Contact our experts now for free quotes and plan comparisons.

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