Thailand - Bumrungrad Hospital NO external prescriptions issued now

[shizukav2]

Just for info - for those who may be using a doctor at Bumrungrad or planning to...

Bumrungrad Hospital in Thailand has issued a memo to all their Doctors that they are NO LONGER ALLOWED to issue prescriptions for medications outside the hospital pharmacy.

This does not ONLY apply to HIV medication, but all drugs apparently...

Now, bear in mind most (if not all senior doctors) will practice at various locations/hospitals so this is a 'heads up' - in my case, my doctor Dr Praphan is also available at Paolo Hospital Kaset in Bangkok - so in future I will be seeing him there and getting the prescription to fill it at the Red Cross Clinic at about a third the cost of Bumrungrad...

[Gladragsguy]

I heard about this but was not sure if it was true...seems so.  I'd anyone else here about any other hospitals please post. We also have an English speaking support group here in Bangkok that meets every other week and a LINE group. Message to-  sonowwhat.asia@gmail.com

[shizukav2]

Agree it would be useful to know whch Doctor/Hospital combo allows ( and indeed encourages ) external pharmacies like the Red Cross Clinic and being tested there etc.

As I mentioned Dr Praphan can issue prescriptions from Paolo Kaset Hospital ( used to be called Mayo Hospital) but no longer from Bumrungrad.

Went to Red Cross Clinic first time today, no problems and 6 months of Teevir (generic Atripla) for 6,000 baht or so , roughly a third the price of Bumrungrad.

Note - worth knowing the clinic pharmacy closes for lunch from 12 til 1, so you can time your visit to avoid waiting around for that...( go to the Ratchadamri BTS stop, take exit 1 and walk against the traffic flow direction with the Bangkok sports club on your right and you'll be there in about 500 m... easy).

Last viral load was same as the previous was... undetectable.

[Mindless]

I can confirm Bumrungrad (crazy) policy change. Anyways, almost useless since there are plenty of ways around it (one is that mentioned by shizukav). I guess every "wise" Dr. will adopt his preferred: in case someone is interested they can PM me, probably its' too much precaution but I don't want risking to expose those great Docs.

M

[abcde12345]

I can confirm Bumrungrad (crazy) policy change. Anyways, almost useless since there are plenty of ways around it (one is that mentioned by shizukav). I guess every "wise" Dr. will adopt his preferred: in case someone is interested they can PM me, probably its' too much precaution but I don't want risking to expose those great Docs.

M

Sorry, how to pm you here? need to seek your advise? Thanks

[Ptrk3]

Forum members need to post three posts before they can send or receive pm's.

[Jim Allen]

Ill add that as a new member its customary to open a new topic as a introduction thread and, introduce yourself to the forum.

Example, How are you generally doing? VL & CD4 count? How is your treatment going? Etc etc

Jim

[Gladragsguy]

Does anyone have a verifiable update on the issuing of prescriptions at BUMRUNGRAD HOSPITAL?

[Mindless]

Does anyone have a verifiable update on the issuing of prescriptions at BUMRUNGRAD HOSPITAL?

HI,

not sure what you exactly mean by “verifiable update” but yes, the prescriptions issue is on at Bumrungrad. Anyways, as I said, quite easy to go around it, your Dr. will tell you how. PM me if you need more details.

M.

[madness]

Hello, I am due in bkk and Bumrungrad next week, I was only there in September and never was told about this policy or work arounds and picked up my meds as normal via red cross.

Just noticed this is my 1st post and I joined 6 years ago

[terrymoore]

HI,
Basically all you need to do is get the prescription and when you check out to pay, say you do not want anything from the pharmacy...
then you take the prescription to the Red Cross.

[madness]

Ok this is what I have been doing for a while, just collect my prescription and pay for doctor and leave.

Thanks at least the worry of not getting a prescription next week is gone

[Expat1]

Pongpat Patanavanich, secretary-general of the Thai Private Hospital Association, said patients have the right to purchase medicine outside the hospital, although the practice is not widespread.

Thai law says that prescriptions may be obtained outside the hosptial.  At least thats whats printed in the lawbooks.

[madness]

I got mine from the doctor yesterday and put it in my bag and told cashier no meds needed

[joemutt]

I had that problem in Bangkok Hospital. The prescriptions there are electronically passed on to cashier and pharmacy. In October 2008 I asked the doctor to give me a (hand)written prescription to go buy my meds at RedCross and he would not do it. So I had to change hospital and doctor after 11 years