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Drug Prices
Staying in Thailand brings its own array of health issues. Skin problems and nuisances are rather common. Personally, we seem to react sometimes excessively to bites from or contact with local insects.
So, recently one morning while drinking coffee in our favorite coffee shop, we noticed something moving about in our neck, and discovered and removed a small millipede (or was it a caterpillar?). [actually, a millipede, if that was the culprit, is strictly speaking not an insect]. Starting a few hours later, we noticed pronounced itching and localized swelling in the area.
So the next morning we went to Bumrungrad Hospital. After a short visit (less than 5 minutes with the doctor) we were sent to the hospital pharmacy to receive our prescription drugs. We were given Elomet (corticosteroid ointment) at 123 baht a tube, and some Aerius tablets (antihistamines) at 60 baht a tablet.
All good and well, our little visit cost us about 1,500 baht, no problem.
We responded well to the therapy, but since it was not yet all cleared up after finishing the Aerius tablets, we decided to continue for a few more days and headed to a pharmacy nearby (South East Asia Pharmacy on Sukhumvit Road). We did not need any more Elomet (but knew its price at local pharmacies already), but purchased a supply of Aerius tablets at 23,5 baht a tablet.
A tube of Elomet costs 75-80 baht in local pharmacies.
We already knew from personal experiences, from the experience of friends and from reports online, that Bumrungrad provides medical care at a price. Our doctor's visit alone costs us 920 baht (800 baht doctor's fee, and 120 for use of 'facilities'). Similar or slightly lower prices are asked at other 'prime' hospitals such as Samitivej Hospital or Bangkok General Hospital. Smaller but less fancy hospitals like Bangkok Christian Hospital on Silom Road, will charge you around 400 baht.
We knew that medication was also more expensive at Bangkok's 'International' Hospitals. However, the prices charged for medication at Bumrungrad came as a surprise.
75 baht vs. 123 baht : mark-up of 64 %.
23,5 baht vs. 60 baht : mark-up of 155 %.
We spent little money for our medication all together. However, if you are prescribed drugs for long-term use, or expensive drugs, prices will add up substantially.
We could call this price mark-up
by many names : exorbitant, excessive, inappropriate. However, let us stick to calling them 'DECEPTIVE'. One does simply not expect such marked differences in prices. Prices of drugs are also not specified when you get your Pharmacy receipt (but you can ask the pharmacist to do so).
The whole issue of getting prescription drugs in Thailand is rather murky. You do NOT get a prescription actually when visiting a hospital, but are referred to the hospital pharmacy. Difficult to escape paying too much for your drugs, unless you act up and become a nuisance to the nurses and doctors. Simply put, the system is inadequate.
In any case, if you need drugs for long-term use (and you have to pay for them yourself), tell your physician you can buy the medication at outside pharmacies. Just make sure, to get all the correct names of the drugs you are taking (write them down accurately, and/or take old medication strips or containers with you to the pharmacy).
Add-on :
Interestingly, there seems to be increased awareness that health care expenditures are getting too high. The Bangkok Hospital Group (including Samitivej Hospital) has notified the general public (newspaper articles, advertisements), that prices are 'blocked' at present levels.
7 March 2008
Related articles about health issues : Hospitals in Bangkok | Dental Services | Eye Clinics | Pharmacies | Shortcomings of Thai Healthcare
More : Medical Tourism in Thailand | Health Statistics | Cost of Medical Treatment in Thailand
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