Pharmacies
Much like massage salons and scooter rental businesses, pharmacy stores can be found in abundance on Koh Tao, and are mostly small shops dealing specifically in skin products, sunscreen, insect repellants, toiletries, and medications, as well as general medical and first aid provisions.
Pharmacies often greatly inflate prices compared to regular shops. Please keep in mind that many pharmacies stock products that you can also find elsewhere. For example, skin products, mosquito repellant, first aid supplies, and sunscreen can also be found in 7-Eleven stores, as well as at the larger supermarkets. The bigger supermarkets such as Pen Wholesale, Smile Mart, ChaiWat, and Aokotan even sell a range of basic broad-spectrum prescription medications such as amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin.
Medications
If you do need to get specific medications, however, then you will need to visit a pharmacy. The majority of Koh Tao pharmacies have staff who speak very good English. A wide range of prescription and over-the-counter prescription medications are available in Thailand. You won’t necessarily need a formal prescription or note from a doctor. However, if you are looking for something particularly specific, then it’s never a bad idea to have one with you. Commonly sold medications include:
- Pain killers
- Sleeping aids
- Cold and Flu remedies
- Antibiotics
- Inhalers
- Ritalin (for ADD and ADHD disorders)
- Birth control
We find people often tend to recommend Sairee Medical Clinic. P Sai the owner, has been offering clinic and pharmaceutical services on the island for over twenty years. She is a well-trusted go-to source for consults and medication for many of the long-term residents on the island. One more large and well-stocked pharmacy in Sairee is called Red Pharmacy Koh Tao.
If in doubt about what medication or treatment you need, your best course of action is to get a consult at one of the island hospitals and clinics.
