“Imagine, when you order a medicine from another country it will pass through many steps,” said Dr Homhuan. “Variations in temperature alone can cause the product to deteriorate. What’s more, online sellers can give the customer anything – it may be expired or counterfeit. It is very difficult for the customer to really know what he or she is buying. The packaging could say, for example, Viagra, but inside contains something else.
“Many times the Thai FDA has found products sent to customers that were counterfeited and contained totally different ingredients which could endanger health or even life. Therefore, the Thai government is trying to educate people to avoid consuming or ordering medicines through the internet.
“Medicines ordered by customers in Thailand are usually sent by parcel via the general postal service, and if the person ordering is lucky the parcel will go through. Some packages are opened and checked by the post office or Customs. If Thai authorities find banned or regulated medicines, especially narcotics, they will seize them and find the person the parcel is addressed to and punish them according to the law.
“However, if it is not an illegal drug and the person can provide evidence they need the product, no legal action will be taken. If the person – and this applies mainly to foreigners – orders a drug which is only available on prescription in Thailand, he or she can show proof of prescription to the FDA and Customs. The buyer then has to pay a tax and the product will be delivered to them. However, in most cases the products are destroyed.”
International courier companies operate under strict regulations and if they suspect a shipment could have some problems they may reject it in the first place.
“As for deliveries from online pharmacy distributors to customers in Thailand, the buyer will transfer the payment to the seller’s bank account. After the seller has received the payment, the seller will schedule a date with the buyer for delivery of the products. Frequently, sellers will request deliver of the products via messenger or motorcycle taxi.
“In contrast to other online businesses, it is not common for the buyer to use credit cards and expect that their orders will be delivered to their homes. This is because online pharmacies in Thailand are considered an illegal business.”