Can I use a European doctor's prescription to buy medicines at a pharmacy in Thailand?

@Phu***

prescription from any other place other than Thailand is not accepted, let alone not in English . Prescription must be given out by a registered doctor , Swiss doctors are not registered in Thailand. It would be accepted on the airplane or if sending by post but can not use it to buy from local pharmacy . Local pharmacy normally says need prescription , what they mean is they can not sell it. Even if you had one from a local doctor, then they will tel you to visit hospital. Highly controlled medication is not sold to pharmacies and law has tightened a lot about 2 years ago. Before only pharmacies were punished for selling such meds, now suppliers are also punished. Also be advised depending on what meds you need, it may not be available at all if it is not Thai FDA approved , but doctors can often find similar meds. Unfortunately if it is prescribed only , generic will not be available so the cost would be fairly high

@Phu***

you’re welcome. if you have any issue with a regular pharmacy (outside of the hospital) just go see a Thai doctor in the hospital (which will normally cost around $20-30 USD) and explain the situation and you should get the prescription. Go downstairs and grab your meds from the pharmacy. That is my experience and I tried numerous pharmacies. It could be that my meds are not as common etc. There are also some meds that the doctor is required to ask you some questions before prescribing.

@Phu***

if all the crucial info is on the prescription, at it is on mine, you should normally be able to use it. That is substance, dosage, prescribed amount. Example (from an over the counter med):

Paracetamol 500 mg, 4 per day

I suspect that if they read "4 par jour", with "jour" reading closer to "hour" than "day", it could make them a little more cautious because they may be missing something. I would hope they then know the substance and that of those two options only "day" can be meant, and that they give you the required number of units.

Looking at the prescription that I've used, this 3rd part is actually missing. It's only substance and strength. Also I don't really need that as I know myself how much I need.

So maybe that has then put me in a better spot? 🤷 Don't know.

If it doesn't work in your case though, you may as well just get the prescription from a doctor. Why not. If cost is a concern, look for a cheap hospital or even a clinic.

@Chris ********

You can most definitely get benzos at of the pharmacies. The only opiate you can get is codeine mixed with either paracetamol or something else that i forget. The smaller the pharmacy, the better the odds.

@Bonus **********

yes you’re right but you don’t need to bring the foreign prescription. If they have it they will give it to you.

@Galenus *****

think before posting is the right answer . considering people can think

@Galenus *****

almost certainly yes. Because the other way also works.

By the way, wouldn't you agree the question is very good? Considering many think that this isn't possible?

Agree that people should think before posting (and answering ;) ).

@Bart *************

depends what it is. If it's an OTC product, you wouldn't have needed any prescription.

In general, a prescription is only valid in the country the prescribing doctor got his license from. (Except EU)

@Vera *************

correct answer!

@Vera *************

this is not correct. Whether or not a med requires a prescription depends on the med. Heavy stuff will require prescriptions. However, no issue using one from abroad.

@John *********

or skip the local doctor and use the prescription from home doctor at the pharmacy.

@Andrew **********

they will recognize them and give the meds as prescribed. Prescriptions can be in other languages but the medically relevant info is always in universal medical language. Thai pharmacies can read them.

@Mick ******

no

@Mick ******

finally someone knowing the facts ;)

@Graeme *********

I can get all my prescribed medication from any pharmacy I've been in, in Thailand.

@Graeme *********

it's possible.

@Danny ******

can use prescription from Europe.