Can you bring your medications to Thailand?
A lot of people ask if they can bring medications to Thailand or get medications in Thailand. Yes you can! Read more to find out what you can bring and where you can find the medications you need while in the Kingdom.
Imagine needing medical care in a foreign country and not knowing where to start. You worry about finding the best hospital and whether the doctors are trustworthy. The thought of dealing with a language barrier and figuring out the costs makes you anxious. Plus, you wonder how to handle visas and if your family can come with you for support.
Bringing prescription medication into Thailand
When bringing prescription medicine into Thailand, it is important to follow the regulations set by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The medication must be for personal use only and enough for no more than 90 days
- Bring your prescription with you - just in case.
- The medication must be properly labeled with the patient's name and dosage instructions.
- Narcotics and controlled substances require special permission and documentation.
Click this link so you can check if your medicine is one of the controlled substances that are restricted in Thailand. Some of the more common medications that are not allowed in Thailand are:
- Valium
- Xanax
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Adderall
- Ritalin
It's important to note that customs may detain or confiscate any medication that does not comply with regulations, and you may face legal action if found in possession of illegal drugs.
However, you can get a permit for essential medications by applying at this link.
So what if your prescription runs out while you’re in Thailand?
There are 2 options available to you
In many cases you can take the prescription or the empty bottle (with your name, prescription and dosage on it) on it to a pharmacy and see if they will refill it for you.
Many medications in your country could be available in Thailand without a prescription and you can easily buy them from most pharmacies.
If the pharmacy cannot refill your prescription based on the empty bottle or the actual prescription they will tell you that you need to go to a doctor to get a new prescription.
The best thing to do is to check out a nearby hospital, or if you can a private doctor here in Thailand.
A doctor there will look at your prescription, evaluate you, and if necessary, issue you a new, local prescription for the same medication. Then you can return to the pharmacy to buy the medications with prescription in your hands.
Does Thailand have the medications you need?
So this is a question we get a lot too. Yes, Thailand more than likely has 95% of all the most popular medications worldwide.
In most cases, it could actually be cheaper in Thailand or even available without a prescription. And in a few cases it might be more expensive in Thailand.
Be aware that your health insurance in your country may not cover the cost of expensive medication in Thailand or any other country you are visiting.
Some insurers might allow you to claim back the cost, so be sure to get a proper invoice or receipt from the pharmacy or hospital in Thailand so you can try to do this when you return.
In Summary
You can bring up to 90 days of medications with you to Thailand. And more than likely you can refill your prescription while here also.
Be sure to bring your prescription with you.
And if you want to get assistance or a consultation about visiting or moving to Thailand, please contact us.
Imagine needing medical care in a foreign country and not knowing where to start. You worry about finding the best hospital and whether the doctors are trustworthy. The thought of dealing with a language barrier and figuring out the costs makes you anxious. Plus, you wonder how to handle visas and if your family can come with you for support.