Irish issued medical prescriptions in FUERTEVENTURA

[the boatman]

hi all, 1st time on forum so hope this is the correct place to ask about this. I am going to be spending a couple of months on the island and would like to know the following A; can I have my Irish GP's prescription filled locally and B; are prescription medicines generally less or more expensive here.

many thanks in advance

[Can the Man]

Hi Boatman,

1. Yes the Irish GP perscriptions will be filled locally
2. Medication in general is about 50% cheaper than back home in Ireland.

You don't say where you will be located, but I have found from my numerous visits that the pharmacy in the airport is one of the best. If they don't have a product you require, they can generally get it in within 24 hours.

The reason the medication is cheaper, is because they tend to issue generic company manufactered drugs rather than original companies. There is absolutley no difference in the drug or its activeness.

The other thing to note is that perscriptions are generally only needed for drugs like steroids, antibiotics etc., a lot of other drugs like anti-inflamitories (pain klillers) can be bought over the counter, just as the pharmacist for what you need or show them the box.

[SheilaW]

perscriptions are generally only needed for drugs like steroids, antibiotics etc., a lot of other drugs like anti-inflamitories (pain klillers) can be bought over the counter

Though that's true their are some odd differences. For example, we used to buy Paracodol (paracetemol/codeine) tablets over the counter in the UK (8mg of codeine, if I remember rightly); then we moved to Holland where you couldn't buy any at all (though you could get OTC paracetemol in 100-tablet packs - enough to commit suicide very effectively ); in France you can buy a pack OTC with a massive 20mg of codeine in each - enough to make me extremely woozy; here is like Holland: zilch OTC.

The United States of Europe is a long way off

[margerita]

Hi Boatman.

I took an Irish prescription to the local pharmacy in Corralejo. It wasnt excepted.
I was told to get it copied in the local doctors, and would have no problem then.

Good luck.

[Can the Man]

Margarita, go to the pharmacy in airport, they are the best.

BTW which pharmacy in Corrie did you go to ? The one down the steps on the Main Street or the one way down the bottom near the harbour ?

I always found the one down the steps far more helpful and obliging

[margerita]

Hi Can d Man,
I went to pharmacy on the main street beside Chablis. You can no longer get antibiotics, sleeping
pills, or sedatives unless you produce a spanish prescription. I was looking for antibiotics and was told to get a spanish prescription. I will try the pharmacy at the airport next time I am out, but have my doubts

[Can the Man]

Margarita you will NOT get antibiotics anywhere without a prescription, even the airport. 

[the boatman]

Many thanks to all who replied to this query and sorry for taking so long to offer my thanks, meds I need are for blood pressure plus a Staten

regards   

[Can the Man]

Boatman, always keep an old box from your tablets and bring this to the pharmacy with you. It helps if they cant decipher the doctors hand writing. Not all doctors use printers for thier perscriptions, especially over here in Ireland.