Editor:
I recently paid a visit to my long time dermatologist at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital for treatment of skin cancer and an infection in the skin cancer site. I was advised that the infection would have to be treated first and was prescribed and issued ClinDAmycin (1050 baht). After one week my infection had not gotten better. So I returned to the hospital and was referred to a doctor of infectious medicine who said I probably had a staph infection but would need to have culture taken. Meanwhile, I was prescribed and issued Dicloxacillin to take until the culture results came back. I was told at the time that if it was MRSA Staph Infection, the medicine would be “very expensive”.
After four days, the Dicloxacillin was not working and I returned to the hospital for the culture results. I was then told I was diagnosed with MRSA and, indeed, the medicine, Zylox, was very expensive (2000 baht per pill) and I would need 20 pills! (Yes, 40,000 baht). When I questioned about the price and availability, I was told I could just get two pills for now (4000 baht) while I checked other resources.
I contacted three other hospitals and two pharmacies and, wouldn’t you know it, no one else carried!
I sent an email that evening to my US Dermatologist and he responded the next day and said I should get Bactrim as it was used extensively for MRSA and was quite cheap – 80 baht for 20 tablets at the Fascino pharmacy.
My infection cleared up in two days!
The hospital would not issue a refund on any of the medicines.
You can draw your own conclusions from my experience, but I would advise, on any medical issues, do your own research on the Internet in regard to doctors, hospitals, and medicine needed for your condition.
I am writing this in hope that someone may avoid a similar experience.
Jim Becker
