Thai Red Cross

[lismind]

Hi all,  in order to plan my trip to Thailand for blood work and meds (I live in China) I wonder if anyone could tell me how much time should I plan it for, like 1-2-3 weeks or more?

I heard VL test takes a couple of weeks just to get the results on...

P.S. The reason I can't do it in China because of the visa thing and I wanna stay low on that for obvious reasons. Unless someone who is a foreigner and in Shenzhen and knows a place here where I could get the VL tests фею I can give you my wechat so we could share.

[joemutt]

I heard VL test takes a couple of weeks just to get the results on...

Where did you hear that?
RC says VL results one week but I usually get the results after 4 days.

[lismind]

Some guy told me. I hope it's wrong.

[BKKKevin]

4-5 days (not including weekends)...
Note you will need a written prescription to get meds at the Red Cross

[joemutt]

4-5 days (not including weekends)...
Note you will need a written prescription to get meds at the Red Cross

Yes, exactly.

[Mindless]

BTW,

you can have results emailed to you if you wish so (just leave an email address during registration). So you don’t have to go back to RC to collect them.

Cheers

[Axiom]

Hi,

As already said by others, the results take up to 7 days (this is what they say, but generally I get the email after day 4 or 5).

For the meds - do you have a doctor who can prescribe for you in Thailand?

Your comment about visas in China is of interest to me, as I'm currently searching for work, and actively ignore jobs in China because of my +ve status - Do you have a full work visa there, without issue??

Oil and gas construction is my field (in case it has any relevancy)

Thanks

[terrymoore]

1. as mentioned, it takes around a week to get all the results (VL, CBC, CD4, lipids, etc etc).
2. As mentioned, they can send it via email - i have been getting it that way forever. tip: You can open a new (anonymous) gmail account if you want to keep thing discreet.
3. They sometimes email results as soon as ready. So don`t worry if you get an email with only part of the results.
4. You can buy 6 months worth of medication. You must bring a prescription in ENGLISH (or Thai). If you do not have a prescription, you can visit a doctor either at Redcross or at any other hospital in Thailand and get the prescription. Updated price-list in another post i made a month or so ago - search the forum.
Good luck!

[CanadianExpat1983]

Don't forget your anal pap smear, it takes few weeks and can be emailed too.

[CanadianExpat1983]

1. as mentioned, it takes around a week to get all the results (VL, CBC, CD4, lipids, etc etc).
2. As mentioned, they can send it via email - i have been getting it that way forever. tip: You can open a new (anonymous) gmail account if you want to keep thing discreet.
3. They sometimes email results as soon as ready. So don`t worry if you get an email with only part of the results.
4. You can buy 6 months worth of medication. You must bring a prescription in ENGLISH (or Thai). If you do not have a prescription, you can visit a doctor either at Redcross or at any other hospital in Thailand and get the prescription. Updated price-list in another post i made a month or so ago - search the forum.
Good luck!

Hi buddy,

Do you think one can get 12 month supplies if they were two see 2 doctors at 2 different hospitals ( TRCARC and Bumrungrad) on the same BKK visit? I checked with a pharmacist who said tablets (Genvoya) usually last longer and medication wont become ineffective on its expiry date and should last a minimum of another 6-12 months. But then again, some countries allow you to import a max of 3 bottles, so I wouldn't risk carrying 12 bottles. One could transfer them all to a large gigantic fish oil/supplement bottle with the dehumidifiers that come in the medication bottles but this may also cause rapid degradation shorting expiry. You never win

[terrymoore]

Hi buddy,

Do you think one can get 12 month supplies if they were two see 2 doctors at 2 different hospitals ( TRCARC and Bumrungrad) on the same BKK visit? ....

So, the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic has been doing a great job at getting much needed meds and medical attention to those who need it and cannot afford the crazy prices at private hospitals. They give max of 6 months because i guess they want to manage the supplies and make sure there is a supply for everyone. It is my guess.
In any case, i guess you can trick them. Just remember that even though it is anonymous, you have a unique ID/card and they track each ID. So you would need to also go through that registration once again. And... NOT be recognised. IMHO making the trip twice a year is no biggie in the larger scale of things.

[joemutt]

Hi buddy,

Do you think one can get 12 month supplies if they were two see 2 doctors at 2 different hospitals ( TRCARC and Bumrungrad) on the same BKK visit? I checked with a pharmacist who said tablets (Genvoya) usually last longer and medication wont become ineffective on its expiry date and should last a minimum of another 6-12 months. But then again, some countries allow you to import a max of 3 bottles, so I wouldn't risk carrying 12 bottles. One could transfer them all to a large gigantic fish oil/supplement bottle with the dehumidifiers that come in the medication bottles but this may also cause rapid degradation shorting expiry. You never win

Not from TRCARC as sole source because they keep a record of what you got/6 months

[Gladragsguy]

There are newly introduced guidelines for filling outside prescriptions at the TRC. They are brand new this month and include several new conditions. Official prescriptions only with your name, doctor's name, license number, phone number, confirmatory testing, and recent viral load results. Be aware that some hospitals and clinics in Thailand are no longer issuing outside prescriptions so plan accordingly.

[wardp]

Correct me if I'm wrong but under Thai government guidelines a prescription must be allowed to be  used at an outside pharmacy issued by any gov or private hospital?

[Genomity]

1. as mentioned, it takes around a week to get all the results (VL, CBC, CD4, lipids, etc etc).
2. As mentioned, they can send it via email - i have been getting it that way forever. tip: You can open a new (anonymous) gmail account if you want to keep thing discreet.
3. They sometimes email results as soon as ready. So don`t worry if you get an email with only part of the results.
4. You can buy 6 months worth of medication. You must bring a prescription in ENGLISH (or Thai). If you do not have a prescription, you can visit a doctor either at Redcross or at any other hospital in Thailand and get the prescription. Updated price-list in another post i made a month or so ago - search the forum.
Good luck!

Terry, do I understand you correctly that if I want the tests and to see an HIV doctor at Thai cross I need to plan at least a week in Bangkok plus some days for the doctor to consult me and buy the meds?

(2) Also do I need to see a doctor before I do all the blood tests or just after the tests?

[Drifter]

There are newly introduced guidelines for filling outside prescriptions at the TRC. They are brand new this month and include several new conditions. Official prescriptions only with your name, doctor's name, license number, phone number, confirmatory testing, and recent viral load results. Be aware that some hospitals and clinics in Thailand are no longer issuing outside prescriptions so plan accordingly.

Hi,  I have some questions:
a) In relation to the prescriptions, can they be issued by non-Thailand based doctors?   
b) Can i pay using a credit card?

Thank you.

[xasxas]

There are newly introduced guidelines for filling outside prescriptions at the TRC. They are brand new this month and include several new conditions. Official prescriptions only with your name, doctor's name, license number, phone number, confirmatory testing, and recent viral load results. Be aware that some hospitals and clinics in Thailand are no longer issuing outside prescriptions so plan accordingly.

I have a prescription from my doctor that's a few months old that I didn't use yet.  I don't think it has any of that info.  Does that mean it's now invalid for the TRC?

Do you know what the process for getting a prescription from the TRC is?  I've been going there for my meds for like the last 6 years, so I am in the system.

[BKKKevin]

There are newly introduced guidelines for filling outside prescriptions at the TRC. They are brand new this month and include several new conditions. Official prescriptions only with your name, doctor's name, license number, phone number, confirmatory testing, and recent viral load results. Be aware that some hospitals and clinics in Thailand are no longer issuing outside prescriptions so plan accordingly.

Are you saying the prescription must include notions of a confirming test and CD4 or can one bring those along as separate documents?... And what do you mean by “confirmatory test”... What would someone like me who was diagnosed 5-6 years ago need to provide as a confirmatory test? (Btw I have a clinic card they issued years ago and have been getting my meds from the BK Red Cross every 6 months for the last 5+ years)...

[Gladragsguy]

That would be for new patients I assume who have not yet received full test results. As these rules are very new I think we will have to wait and see how or if they will be enforced. They were just posted on the pharmacy window.  I would bring along your lab results just to be sure unless you have them done at TRC in which case they are already on record. 

[Gladragsguy]

Hi,  I have some questions:
a) In relation to the prescriptions, can they be issued by non-Thailand based doctors?   
b) Can i pay using a credit card?

Thank you.

If it's an official prescription with the necessary information it should be fine (and provided they stock them). They do take credit cards with a small fee charged. There is also an ATM machine just outside.

[Drifter]

If it's an official prescription with the necessary information it should be fine (and provided they stock them). They do take credit cards with a small fee charged. There is also an ATM machine just outside.

Thank you!!! i appreciate your reply. 

[Gladragsguy]

I was there today and saw the credit card charge is just 2%.

[Drifter]

I was there today and saw the credit card charge is just 2%.

Hello Gladragsguy! would you know Thai Red Cross's email address?  I tried calling them but I could not understand the menu options as I do not speal Thai.  Thanks your  response btw   Happy Weekend!!!!

[terrymoore]

Terry, do I understand you correctly that if I want the tests and to see an HIV doctor at Thai cross I need to plan at least a week in Bangkok plus some days for the doctor to consult me and buy the meds?

(2) Also do I need to see a doctor before I do all the blood tests or just after the tests?

Hi and sorry for delayed response. NO. 1. Taking your blood test - Taking your tests takes a few minutes. Factor in the line and that can add another hour max to the "taking your blood test" process. 2. Getting your results - Getting all of your results takes around 1 week. You may get some results sooner than that, but the full set of results takes around a week. As mentioned, they can be emailed to you. SO...you can theoretically fly into Bangkok in the morning, go the the Red Cross Anonymous Clinic to give your blood, and fly home in the afternoon, spending only one day in Bangkok. 3.Seeing a doctor - you can see a doctor anytime in one of the many private hospitals in Bangkok - i go to Bumrungrad. You can make an appointment ahead of your trip or you can just show up and hope for the best. I believe that the redcross also gives doctor services and the info can be found in their website (or you can email/call them). The private hospital visit will be much more expensive (50$-100$ usd). They can give you a prescription for your meds which you can use at the redcross to buy your 6months supply of meds. Again this can all be timed to happen on the same day.
4. Reviewing you results with your doctor - if you want to review the results with a doctor in Bangkok, then in this case you will have to wait for your results at the redcross to be ready and wait the week+- to see your doctor.
SO, in short, only #4 requires you to be in Bangkok for at least a week.

[Genomity]

Hi and sorry for delayed response. NO. 1. Taking your blood test - Taking your tests takes a few minutes. Factor in the line and that can add another hour max to the "taking your blood test" process. 2. Getting your results - Getting all of your results takes around 1 week. You may get some results sooner than that, but the full set of results takes around a week. As mentioned, they can be emailed to you. SO...you can theoretically fly into Bangkok in the morning, go the the Red Cross Anonymous Clinic to give your blood, and fly home in the afternoon, spending only one day in Bangkok. 3.Seeing a doctor - you can see a doctor anytime in one of the many private hospitals in Bangkok - i go to Bumrungrad. You can make an appointment ahead of your trip or you can just show up and hope for the best. I believe that the redcross also gives doctor services and the info can be found in their website (or you can email/call them). The private hospital visit will be much more expensive (50$-100$ usd). They can give you a prescription for your meds which you can use at the redcross to buy your 6months supply of meds. Again this can all be timed to happen on the same day.
4. Reviewing you results with your doctor - if you want to review the results with a doctor in Bangkok, then in this case you will have to wait for your results at the redcross to be ready and wait the week+- to see your doctor.
SO, in short, only #4 requires you to be in Bangkok for at least a week.

#4 Seeing a doctor about the results in Thai Red Cross that is right? In private hospitals should be faster right?

[Expat1]

You can fly in with your prescription from your country (must be written in English), and try to get the meds filled at Thai Red Cross.  If there  is a problem, take your med bottle and history and prescription to a private hospital (Bangkok Christian and Saint Louis are nearby.  Just pop in to The Out Patients clinic and ask for a prescription.  They may want new recent tests done.  You can get those at Thai Red Cross. 

Alternatively the Suriwongese Clinic Just off Patpong area (RED LIGHT DISTRICT)  has a doctor that will write prescriptions as he is affiliated with Chula University hospital.   He is quick, again if you need more tests he will tell you.  The test at red cross take about a week. 

[terrymoore]

#4 Seeing a doctor about the results in Thai Red Cross that is right? In private hospitals should be faster right?

yes it is usually much faster (and MUCH more expensive).