Avoid getting sick while mongering!

[El_hefe]

One of the issues I realized later after I self medicated my respitory infection that knocked me down is that I probably misjudged the dosage/timeframe to possibly cause my infecton to build up a bit of an immunity to the infection, or god forbid, further issues down the road.

[rxpharm]

A "real" pharmacy in Thailand is licensed by the Thai Food and Drug Administration and must have their license publicly displayed in the drug store. In addition to this the Pharmacy Council of Thailand has started an accreditation program to standardize good pharmacy practice. I am uploading an example of their seal, which would be displayed in an oak framed silver plaque.

A drug store also must have a licensed pharmacist on site during operating hours.

Of course all this doesn't mean the pharmacy doesn't have fake drugs for sale, but the possibility is reduced.

Here is a link to a presentation from the Thai Food and Drug Administration in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Health about the counterfeit drug problem

[URL=http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/Dabby-18261-Tangkeo-problem-increasing-affecting-developed-developing-countries-1-2-3-Coun
terfeit-Dru-as-Entertainment-ppt-powerpoint/" target="_blank" style="font:normal 18px,arial;">Tangkeo[/URL]

See more presentations by Dabby|Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

[/quote]

And the official Thai pharmacy association seal

[rxpharm]

apologies for the embed powerpoint presentation doesn't seem to work with the forum coding.

In a nutshell it says the problem with counterfeit drugs is growing and steps must be taken to control it. Hence the Thai Pharmacy accreditation program.

As for self medication - one of the problems this results in is excessive use of antibiotics when they are not indicated - for instance a cold is due to a virus infection. Using an antibiotic would have no effect and may lead to drug resistant bacteria developing. This is a growing problem in many countries.

While a pharmacy knows what the drugs are for, we are not trained in diagnosis, so if you're feeling quite bad during your vacation best to see a Dr.

[Road Runner]

(rxpharm @ Sep. 25 2010,19:34) ....for instance a cold is due to a virus infection. Using an antibiotic would have no effect and may lead to drug resistant bacteria developing.

I'm still amazed at the number of times I've found Thai doctor's handing out antibiotics for a cold!

RR.

[mardhi]

(pacman @ Sep. 25 2010,08:02) At the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital they employ a number of customer relation consultants who keep a watch on foreigners admitted, particularly those who don't have English as their first language.

One Swiss gentleman came to see how I was faring. He is consultant with over 30 years experience working in the Thai medical system.

Its very very difficult for a foreigner to pass the Thai medial tests - for a start they need to read and write fluently in Thai which rules out a lot of people. I only know of one person who has the full credentials in Thailand and he is French. Sounds like you actually met some Swiss Doctor who is assisting but does NOT have 30 years experience working in Thailand as a doctor.

But if anyone is in any doubt as to drug reliability - your probably as well to go to Boots Pharmacies (British chain, big coverage in Thailand, where they also manufacture a lot of products for export to the UK) - they always have a pharmacist on duty and the liklihood of getting fake products is next to nothing IMHO.

Cheers
Mardhi

[manarak]

One of my kids is sick and I have been to the doc with him, and while chatting about the cure, my doc said:

"Amoxicillin is totally without danger, some patients of mine have been taking it daily for five years in a profilactic way"

[rxpharm]

I have to disagree with that, we are seeing more bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics like amoxicillin. If he thinks widespread use of amoxicillin is without danger, then he also does not believe that drug resistant "superbugs" are developing.

[Jake_Sully]

My doctor often tells me its not the drugs but the quantity of them that's given. Quite often other doctors will prescribe 1000 mg when only 50 mg is required, and the bug or the disease develops a resistance to it making it much harder to cure.

[f0xxee]

(rxpharm @ Oct. 01 2010,05:43)

I have to disagree with that, we are seeing more bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics like amoxicillin. If he thinks widespread use of amoxicillin is without danger, then he also does not believe that drug resistant "superbugs" are developing.

I couldn't agree more. Doctors tend to over-prescribe, and in many cases it could be seen to be the rsult of intense lobbying on behalf of the drug manufacturers. (free gifts, junkets, cash back etc.)

Asians love medicine: whether you go to the Doc in Singapore or BKK they will prescribe far more drugs than are necessary for what ails you. As a lapsed paramedic I used to have a MIMMS digital catalogue on hand at all times and was amazed at some of the drugs I was being issued in Singapore that clearly did not address the ailment.

Forgive me for playing the "Old Asian Hand" here, but having grown up in Malaysia and Singapore, and lived in Vietnam and Thailand too, I am a firm believer that that best defense is god given in most cases. That is allow your body to form immunities. (Lets leave out cholera, dengue, malaria and the serious maladies for a minute.)

EVERYONE including me will come down with a dose of the shits on arrival in Asia within the first two weeks. This can range from the savage dysentry to the milder squirts. Mostly its the squirts. Once you get past this, you start to build your resistance to all the nasties floating in the water and the e-coli that is on the vegetables etc. Same with colds and flu's. I drink bottled water for a week and move onto tap water soon after, get over the squirts and move on.

It seems to me the sickest people I meet are those that are the most concerned and take the most prophlactic medicines. Perhaps it is partly a mental thing (in that they expect to get sick) but it seems to work for me that getting on crowded trains and into crowed elevators with the steaming masses builds immunity. I rarely get a flu: maybe once every 5 years?

In short I think you have to expect to get a sore throat, the runs and probably the odd rash in the short term, and these things then pass and make you stronger.

[manarak]

(rxpharm @ Oct. 01 2010,05:43)

I have to disagree with that, we are seeing more bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics like amoxicillin. If he thinks widespread use of amoxicillin is without danger, then he also does not believe that drug resistant "superbugs" are developing.

err... misinterpretation.

The doc said the drug is harmless, even when it is taken continuously.

The statement was not about widespread use, it was about the effects of the medicine on one individual.


Then I do believe that if amoxicillin is used correctly, i.e. the is dosage high enough and taken long enough until the box is empty, there shouldn't be much danger of resistant bacteria proliferating?
The danger comes from the tossers who stop taking the pills after 3 days because they feel better?

[Road Runner]

(manarak @ Oct. 02 2010,10:51) The doc said the drug is harmless, even when it is taken continuously.
The statement was not about widespread use, it was about the effects of the medicine on one individual.

I'm no doctor but I have some concern about that statement  -  enough concern that I would suggest that you change doctors.

Antibiotics not only kill off the bacterial that is causing your illness they also kill off the bacteria that are beneficial to you.
Remember when you start taking them you go to the toilet more often  -  that is the contents of your stomach being ejected because the beneficial bacteria that are there have been largely killed off.
Where there are no beneficial or benign bacteria there is more room for the nasties to get a hold and multiply.

Maybe I am mistaken but to my mind the effects of taking antibiotics as a propholactic are all negative.

(manarak @ Oct. 02 2010,10:51) Then I do believe that if amoxicillin is used correctly, i.e. the is dosage high enough and taken long enough until the box is empty, there shouldn't be much danger of resistant bacteria proliferating?
The danger comes from the tossers who stop taking the pills after 3 days because they feel better?

The main danger comes from those who stop a course of pills too early yes but I don't believe it's the only danger.
As was mentioned above taking it for inapropriate reasons  ie. for a cold  may cause a mutation into something which does much more harm.

There are already resistant strains of STD's and some of these are related to other more common afflictions.
How long before we get an antibiotic resistant super flu?

RR.

[manarak]

How long before we get an antibiotic resistant super flu?

well, all flu strains are antibiotic resistant, because the flu is a virus, not bacteria.

I suggest you read up on viruses and bacteria!

[Bobcat]

As an aside. The best killer of the common cold is Vicks First Defence. Forget all that vitamin C stuff. As soon as you get that distant malaise and a tickle in the throat. Fire up the First Defence. Its a bit like snorting Vodka well I havent actually tried that one but I can imagine what it must be like. Do that for 48 hours and you will knock it every time. What it does is that it steralises all the nasty stuff in the sinuses. This is where cold germs first take hold & multiply. Also if you already have a cold still do this as with colds you keep reinfecting yourself in the sinus cavity. I am no Dr or nurse but it works.

http://www.vicks.co.uk/first-defence/nasal-spray/

Oh & if you can regular exercise whatever form keeps the blood flowing round the system and thus there is more chance of knocking out the bugs.

[pacman]

   Good comment about sinus cavity infection. I was going nowhere in hospital until I was taken to the Ear, Nose & Throat Dept & diagnosed with a minor sinus infection. Once they started treating that I found the cough became more manageable.

Though after 5 days on antibiotics, I had to be due to start seeing some improvement. Days 6 & 7 & I was coming good at a great rate. Thank heavens.

[Bobcat]

It really does work by nuking anything in that area. Take that out and the breeding ground is removed. I know we all take supplements, potions & lotions. But to be honest most times its Psychosomatic and the body repairs itself under its own steam but you think ahh that echinasia is working. Hmm not so sure. I spent every year having about 3 humdingers, streaming hooter, coughing up all sorts of stuff. Urghh, those days are over.