Obtaining Med's in Europe

[Hymie]

After an enforced late start this year we should be heading for sunnier climes early May, but we're hampered by needing monthly scrips, as the wheels are slowly falling off the bus nowadays.

Does anyone know if there is a bomb-proof way of obtaining repeat prescriptions in Europe, in particular Spain and France.

Our GP says that NHS rules now say we can only have 2 months scrips if we are travelling, and if we are away longer than 3 months he has to eject us from his surgery list.

Frankie, (@Yodelli) very kindly offered to arrange a meeting with her GP for us last year, but unfortunately we had to cut our trip short, and we don't want to keep leaning on peoples goodwill.

We are hoping to tour extensively this year, mainly Spain and Portugal with a trip to Disney planned for August with the Grandkids, so we would like to obtain them 'on the run' as it were, rather than driving long distances off-plan to see a particular doctor when supplies are running low.

We don't want to rely on our kids collecting them at home and posting them on, we've had experience of posting abroad before, with results anywhere form 5 days, to 12 days, to not turning up until a month after we left, as they are not something I can go without and the urge to stay alive is stronger than the urge to travel.

Sorry it's long winded and thanks in advance for any help.

Hymie

 

[busby]

After an enforced late start this year we should be heading for sunnier climes early May, but we're hampered by needing monthly scrips, as the wheels are slowly falling off the bus nowadays.

Does anyone know if there is a bomb-proof way of obtaining repeat prescriptions in Europe, in particular Spain and France.

Our GP says that NHS rules now say we can only have 2 months scrips if we are travelling, and if we are away longer than 3 months he has to eject us from his surgery list.

Frankie, (@Yodelli) very kindly offered to arrange a meeting with her GP for us last year, but unfortunately we had to cut our trip short, and we don't want to keep leaning on peoples goodwill.

We are hoping to tour extensively this year, mainly Spain and Portugal with a trip to Disney planned for August with the Grandkids, so we would like to obtain them 'on the run' as it were, rather than driving long distances off-plan to see a particular doctor when supplies are running low.

We don't want to rely on our kids collecting them at home and posting them on, we've had experience of posting abroad before, with results anywhere form 5 days, to 12 days, to not turning up until a month after we left, as they are not something I can go without and the urge to stay alive is stronger than the urge to travel.

Sorry it's long winded and thanks in advance for any help.

Hymie

If posted as a parcel usually 3 to 5 days to Europe using Royal Mail,,,,never had a problem..Meds in Spain can be very expensive,,BUSBY,,

 

[ukbill]

Most pills you can buy over the counter here,but depends on the pills

 

[Hymie]

Thanks Bill but can't take a chance on possibly being able to buy over the counter, i need Digoxin, Ramipril, Apixaban, etc, don't think they would be an over the counter purchase, though I stand to be corrected.

Hymie

 

[namwaldog]

I haven't read it through, but does this link help at all?...

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/prescription-medicine-abroad/prescriptions/index_en.htm

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[laneside]

Someone is sure to come up with something historical as it was possible to buy most drugs if you showed them an English prescription. Now having just come back from Portugal they would not sell you any presciption drugs without going seeing a doctor or health centre first.

 

[ukbill]

@Hymie,I've got your list I'll check the pharmacist, tomorrow,

 

[Sundowners]

We have been buying ours over the counter here in Central Portugal, most without prescription if you have the packet. They have certain regulations on some of the meds. but will supply an alternative. Not had to see a doctor first, might be different in the Algarve.

 

[mustaphapint]

I obtained prescription drugs in France last year. Make an appointment with a GP surgery (will cost you between 25 and 30 euros) Show a copy of your UK prescription and he should give you a French equivalent. Take it to a local chemist. The charge was about 10 euros but I'm not sure if that's per item or per visit. Unfortunately the chemist will only issue 1 month at a time so you have to go back in a month with the same prescription and pay the 10 euros again.

 

[Hymie]

@Hymie,I've got your list I'll check the pharmacist, tomorrow,

Thanks Bill, there are a few more but if the ones I stated are obtainable then maybe the rest are, not sure about the morphine though, but if I keep hitting my toes with a hammer it may make me forget the pain elsewhere.

I always carry a repeat scrip from the chemist in case I get caught out anywhere, so I have proof they are prescription meds.

Hymie.

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[Hymie]

I obtained prescription drugs in France last year. Make an appointment with a GP surgery (will cost you between 25 and 30 euros) Show a copy of your UK prescription and he should give you a French equivalent. Take it to a local chemist. The charge was about 10 euros but I'm not sure if that's per item or per visit. Unfortunately the chemist will only issue 1 month at a time so you have to go back in a month with the same prescription and pay the 10 euros again.

Thanks Paul, not worried about the cost, it's the staying alive bit that worries me.

 

[Lot lover]

FWIW we have just returned from Portugal where my wife was able to obtain Tramadol as listed on her French prescription, twice. EHIC was refused so we had to pay now trying to reclaim.

France will require a French prescription.

 

[Hymie]

FWIW we have just returned from Portugal where my wife was able to obtain Tramadol as listed on her French prescription, twice. EHIC was refused so we had to pay now trying to reclaim.

France will require a French prescription.

Thank you, I'm a bit above Tramadol now but if they prescribe that then I'll assume I can get mine.

Hymie

 

[sonny]

I've been able to get ramipril apixiban etc and cheap in Spain if one pharmacy won't sell the drugs another one will.

 

[WSandME]

Wife and I get three months worth of prescriptions from GP no problem.

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