Reader question: What does insulin cost in Thailand?
May 30, 2020
Dear readers,
I am diabetic and have to inject insulin. I use Novarapid – fast-acting (before each meal) and Lantus – slow-acting (once a day at the same time) and I also use glucophage 1 mg and coversyl plus 850. I would like to know what this medication costs in Thailand and whether it is easy to obtain obtain?
On the blog here I found prices, but this dates back to 2015, so I suppose something has changed.
I thank you in advance,
Regards,
Pierre Watters
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I bought metformin 850 at the local pharmacy in Sanam last week.
550 baht / 250 tablets. Price of victosa approx. 5700 baht/ 2 pens Inc.
10 super deluxe packaged needles. No idea, I'm curious but still have enough stock.
Dear Gert,
Thank you for the information. However, the medication you mentioned is unknown to me, but since the prices apparently vary quite a bit from region to region, I think I will bring my own medication if possible.
Thanks again
Pierre
Dear Pierre,
I take both Novorapid and Lantus insulin. I buy the Novorapid from my pharmacy in Pranburi and it costs 1650 Baht for five ampoules of 300 units each. I buy it without a prescription, but I have to order it in advance because the pharmacy does not have it in stock. It will be there after two or three working days.
I buy the Lantus insulin in the military hospital in Pranburi and I need a prescription for it. Five injection pens (without needles) @ 450 units each cost 4257.20 Baht together. The hospital always has them in stock and it is also possible to buy one or more pens. I am not familiar with the other drugs mentioned.
Success with it.
Dear Rembrandt,
thank you for the information. I see that the price for Novorapid is about the same as here in Belgium, the Lantus Solostar is a lot more expensive than here.
My plan is to move to Thailand at the end of this year for a few months and the price of medication for diabetes in Thailand is not easy to find.
In any case, I now have an indication and it might be better and cheaper to bring my medication to Thailand myself.
Pierre
Hi
Picked up yesterday at Siam Pharmacy in Korat:
– Lantus Solostar : 750 THB per pen
– Novorapid: THB 550 per pen
– Needles: Novofine 31G 100 pieces: 650 THB
– 3M Neoplast alcohol pads: 230 THB for 200 pieces
Grtz
Dear Danny,
thank you for the information but I see that Lantus and Novorapid prices seem to vary from region to region. The prices are in any case an indication and I am thinking about bringing my own medication. The prices are also a lot more expensive than here in Belgium.
Pierre
Danny, where is that Siam Pharmacy in Korat?
thank you in advance
Due to the death of my Belgian friend, I have NovoRapid for sale for a low price, normal price in Fascino pharmacy is 1790 baht for a box of 5 pieces (5*3ml), due date 05/2021 now at 500 baht, 12 pieces left in stock , interest let me know. Jomtien-Pattaya area. Reactions via email or mobile phone:0942359307
Herman,
thanks for the offer but at the moment I am still in Belgium. If everything goes according to plan, I would come to Thailand at the end of this year for a longer period of time and I was curious about the price of these medicines in Thailand.
Pierre
even more for sale: 350 glucose strips and blood sugar meter, brand Cofoe GA-3, expiration date end 2021. Interested see data above
Herman,
I had expressed my interest in the test strips via a text message, but have not heard back. But no problem for me and good luck with it.
Rembrandt
Everything is available here, under Dutch/Thai management.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=961259204335101&id=184690468658649
Hi Pierre
I am Dutch and have an insulin pump. I get the insulin and pump materials reimbursed by the insurance and get my medicines and insulin for 3 months at a time. If we are going to hibernate for 3 months, I will request a holiday order and then get 3 extra months to take this with me to Thailand and do I only have to bring a medicine card through the pharmacy and a stamped standard form that I am diabetic and insulin dependent through the nurse
Insulin in a cooler bag and in hand luggage. It is not necessary to remove the insulin from the luggage at the airport check, even if it is liquid, but I always do it in case an inexperienced employee checks.
It's not what you're asking, but it might be interesting to know
Regards Jacqueline