What’s wrong with this FDA guideline?

[reader]

From Tourism Authority of Thailand

Bangkok, 14 November 2024 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advises travellers to review the latest guidelines from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on importing health products for personal use. These guidelines are issued to ensure a smooth, hassle-free entry process, whether health products are brought into Thailand or sent by mail, and support Thailand’s commitment to health and safety standards.

The FDA provides clear instructions for bringing various health products – including medicines, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and medical devices – into Thailand. Tourists are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the guidelines to ensure compliance and avoid unexpected delays or issues at customs.

Carrying Health Products into Thailand

Travellers may carry certain health products for personal use, though quantity restrictions and documentation requirements apply:

• Medicines: A 30-day supply for personal use is allowed, provided the medicines remain in their original packaging and are clearly labelled. If the product is a controlled substance, it must be accompanied by a prescription or doctor’s letter.

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/thailand-fda-issues-traveller-friendly-guidelines-for-importing-personal-health-products

[siriusBE]

Means you need all the paperwork from your doctor for Prep or ED medis?

[Raposa]

2 hours ago, siriusBE said:

Means you need all the paperwork from your doctor for Prep or ED medis?

Usually you only need the paperwork if your medication is on the narcotics list.

[gerefan]

8 hours ago, reader said:

 

• Medicines: A 30-day supply for personal use is allowed,

So what about all the thousands upon thousands of tourists who stay for the 60 days or in many cases much longer and are on essential medication? 

[reader]

Give the man a cigar.

Suppose it’s good to keep in mind these are only “guidelines” .

[khaolakguy]

Having taken steps to encourage long stay tourists by extending the visa free period from 30 to 60 days, we are now advised that although they can come they can't bring their medication with them and beyond 30 days they must buy their medication locally. Is this policy sponsored by Boots(Thailand) inc?

[Riobard]

14 hours ago, siriusBE said:

Means you need all the paperwork from your doctor for Prep or ED medis?

They are not controlled substances and the physicians name on the pharmacist bottle label or box should suffice. However, if you have to attend a clinic to acquire more PrEP you should probably have as recent as possible an HIV test result. Whether a local physician prescription is needed is unclear. Cost unclear. I believe Pulse STI clinics in major areas have been recommended in other threads.

It occurs to me that one workaround might be a one-month supply of TDF+emtricitabine (Truvada) for first month, and if your uptake is daily, substitute with TAF+emtricitabine (Descovy) or Cabotegravir tablets for the second month. Silly tail wagging the dog to have to manipulate this way but your physician may get onside with it for preventive reasons. You may need a few days of standard lead-in doses for adequate prophylaxis at the juncture of switching to Cabotegravir and be prepared to not be able to tolerate possible side effects if newly introduced. 

Stringing out PDE5-inhibitor medication substitution is obviously easier. 

[Riobard]

10 hours ago, Raposa said:

Usually you only need the paperwork if your medication is on the narcotics list.

Also formal application to Thailand FDA for the particular designated Schedule type classes of Narcotics and Psychotropic medicines that are permitted for entry. There are provisions for extensions beyond 30 days for such drugs, in contrast to noncontrolled modern medications that indeed represent the majority of essential drugs for travellers whose visit may exceed 30 days or whom an unanticipated delay departing Thailand may leave them in the lurch. 

[spoon]

3 hours ago, khaolakguy said:

Having taken steps to encourage long stay tourists by extending the visa free period from 30 to 60 days, we are now advised that although they can come they can't bring their medication with them and beyond 30 days they must buy their medication locally. Is this policy sponsored by Boots(Thailand) inc?

The gov reason to extend the visa free days is for visitors to spend more locally, so i guess this is just one ways to gently remind tourists that thailand sell drugs too lol

[Riobard]

The 30-day import limit goes back to the Drug Act of 1967. It applies to returning nationals and visitors alike. It would have been intended to bridge a need upon entering until such time as renewal could be arranged locally. 

[reader]

Easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission. 🙏