Bangkok Hospital Udon Thani

Post by **parrot** » February 17, 2015, 6:31 pm

Life is no different in the US. Our son-in-law has been laid up for 8 months of chemo......to the tune of now well over $1 million. During his lengthy hospital stays, everything, but everything is added up. And the $0.05 bandaid you can buy in your local supermarket back in the US doesn't cost $0.05 when the hospital charges you. Nor does the 40 Baht bottle of Chang cost 40 Baht when you're holed up in a bar in town. Apples and oranges.

Post by **Macca** » February 17, 2015, 6:40 pm

fdmike - to the best of my knowledge the product was same name, strength and manufacturer. But as you say in LoS not everything is as it seems.

Parrot - yes I know, that was my point and I was referring to purchasing directly from their pharmacy not as as in patient or out patient. Thanks for confirming

Post by **fdimike** » February 17, 2015, 7:22 pm

Macca
You can get lots of good info about this subject from Khun Somsak who owns the pharmacy on Posri Rd just opposite the Kasikorn Bank. He is a pharmacist with many years of experience, speaks excellent english and will provide you with a lot of useful info regarding drug efficacy here in LOS. Quick example. Prednasolone is available here in LOS from about 6 different manufacturers ranging from the US to China. There is a significant difference (much lower) in the efficacy of the medicine produced in China which also happens to be much cheaper as well..

Post by **jackspratt** » February 17, 2015, 7:36 pm

I would assume that medicines here, even generics, are marked with the active ingredients.

mike are you suggesting the marked quantity, or strength, of ingredients are not accurate?

Or is it something that we need to pay more attention to when purchasing?

Post by **Macca** » February 17, 2015, 7:46 pm

jackspratt wrote:I would assume that medicines here, even generics, are marked with the active ingredients.

mike are you suggesting the marked quantity, or strength, of ingredients are not accurate?

Or is it something that we need to pay more attention to when purchasing?

Certain things I will shop around and haggle for prices and take the risk on quality, but prescription drugs isn't one of those items.
I would hope that when using a reputable company such as Boots or Bangkok International we can assume the product is what is says on the packaging.

If not then I'm just about to by a 2 month supply of ..................... rather than heart medicine.

Post by **fdimike** » February 17, 2015, 8:22 pm

Jack

Two medicines of the same name, strength, & ingredients but manufactured here with active ingredients from different countries can have significantly different efficacies. Much depends on where the active ingredient was manufactured. My example of Prednasolone (steroid) is a case in point. The active ingredients are available here from the US, Japan, Taiwan, India & China. The variant which is made here with Chinese ingredients and marked the same as all the others has a much lower efficacy and is much cheaper than the medicine with active ingredients from the US & Japanese companies. I think the old saying about you get what you pay for is probably very true here in LOS.

Post by **bumper** » February 18, 2015, 3:10 pm

Actually I had the same problem with Generic Darvorset in the states. Here Tramadol works effectively. But, that is closely regulated now. That is sad what took four Darvorset's a day when I first got er to control pain form a spinal injury. Tramadol one a day and it didn't get me high. So we are now using Celebrex. I have had the injury since 1993, so it's not going away.

We use the pharmacy across the street from Bon Hoi I believe a Somsak brother, there are three of them in town. One in the Central Plaza as well. I have used then for years, he tells you right up front if he thinks the Dr's prescription is better.

So I feel confident in the services provided. These days simply doesn't take much to check things out on the internet.

I don't mind paying for quality care. I just wish they would put it on the price of he Dr's visit what is that about $10.00 these days.

They have to make money. But, this method really makes them look bad

Post by **parrot** » February 18, 2015, 3:24 pm

Just as a reminder, although a lot of 'shops' sell medicines in town, many are not authentic pharmacies....with a certified pharmacist. See my post at the bottom of the thread at
http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/t ... 26406.html
If my heart was relying on some medicine, I'd buy only from a place like Somsak at Phosri or Somsak across from Banhui. If I need a jar of tylenol, I might buy it anywhere.

Post by **wazza** » February 18, 2015, 3:42 pm

Sadly some people place a.price on their medications and not on their health and outcome.

Yes hospitals charge more for their medications. Simply request the name and dosage etc and buy elsewhere.

These street pharmacies can have lower operating costs which also include limited or no Air Con.

Look at your medications. Review the instructions inside the packet etc.... where it says temperature control. Many will say 25 -30 C as the recommended temperature for storage. Now would you buy from pharmacies with no air con in the summer season with 45 C being the ambient temperature outside ?

There is a reason why medications need to be stored correctly. They deteriorate rapidly outside recommended measures.

Post by **parrot** » May 26, 2022, 4:16 pm

The longer I'm back from being marooned in the US for 13 months (covid), the more I appreciate things like: calling Bangkok Hospital on the way into Udon for a noodle fix to see if a particular eye doctor is 'available'. "She is". I made the appointment for 20 minutes later, arrived 2 minutes before that time, got my vitals checked and waited 30 minutes. The doctor discussed options and I opted for minor out patient surgery. Signed a couple of forms, eye drops, more eye drops, more eye drops, then slice slice and she was done. She gave a detailed explanation of what she would do along with high resolution photos of the affected area. Total bill with antibiotic eyedrops, antibiotics, and some simple pain meds.....4100 Baht.
I was going to have lunch in the 4th floor cafeteria but found out Starbucks, S&P, a somtom shop, and another coffee shop had opened. Cashew chicken over rice at S&P. I parked conveniently just to the left of the circle next to the school and walked a block.

Post by **FrazeeDK** » May 27, 2022, 11:30 am

Parrot, is the new annex fully open yet? The new multi-floor parking garage?

Post by **parrot** » May 27, 2022, 1:57 pm

The parking garage is not yet open.....the youngish English speaking international worker told me 'June'. Starbucks, S&P, a gift shop, somtom shop, and another coffee shop is open on the basement floor of the garage. FWIW......I long ago gave up trying to park in the back end of the hospital. I can usually find a parking spot along the street as you're heading from KFC UD Town to the hospital......or the last few times, I continue past the hospital to the small roundabout, continue straight and park along the road (either side), with many spots shaded. The short walks help me get to my daily step goal.