Prescription Drugs availability
- Thread starter Daydream believer
- Start date
PilotWolf
Well-Known Member
Then the mirrored can separate it into a new thread if it's breaks the rules.
How do,you know I no longer pay UK taxes? I still have a UK based business for one thing...
PW
jordanbasset
Well-Known Member
I know people who are away from the UK for most of the time, if they need treatment they can't get where they are they just return to the UK and register with the local GP where they return to. (in fact many are still registered and just never tell them they live abroad most of the time)
I myself spend 5 months in Spain every winter, never had a problem getting treatment when I return
But not sure the relevance of all this is to getting a 3 month prescription
I myself spend 5 months in Spain every winter, never had a problem getting treatment when I return
But not sure the relevance of all this is to getting a 3 month prescription
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Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Getting back to the thread. I raised it because it may have a bearing on some people's cruising plans, if it means a trip has to be curtailed by 4 weeks.
I visited the surgery today & posed the question to those in their pharmacy. Being near to a sailing area a couple of the doctors are avid sailors & a consultation may often be taken up with a chat about sailing, rather than about the wart.
The reply was that it was still 3 months, but could change. I got the impression, however, that as they know I go sailing, it could be "got round" in certain circumstances.
Not all surgeries might be as helpful, so forumites might be advised to check well in advance.
I visited the surgery today & posed the question to those in their pharmacy. Being near to a sailing area a couple of the doctors are avid sailors & a consultation may often be taken up with a chat about sailing, rather than about the wart.
The reply was that it was still 3 months, but could change. I got the impression, however, that as they know I go sailing, it could be "got round" in certain circumstances.
Not all surgeries might be as helpful, so forumites might be advised to check well in advance.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
In our case it is largely at the discretion of the GP or practice manager. One of my prescription drugs was relatively expensive and the concern about giving me an extended supply was entirely based upon the cost. Fortunately they know me well and we came to an arrangement. Not sure yet whether that will apply with the new ruling, we find out later today. Fortunately the ones we are currently taking are fairly low cost and we have built up a reserve by buying in Greece.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
We are slightly more flexible in Oz. Scrips are for 5 or 6 months (not sure which), normally you would buy monthly - but if you ask your GP there is a facility to have the whole lot in one go. This practice might have developed as some live so far from their doctor having to visit a doctor every 3 months, simply for a scrip, might be a bit onerous.
Jonathan
Jonathan
bikedaft
Well-Known Member
all i can find on a quick google is this - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...nal-v2-0.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1_AUskjA-Bcx2iqZ1zuYWf
on a quick scan it says "1-3months supply" - and our general guidance is still to only prescribe one month's supply at a time (for all drugs, not just folk going abroad) - we generally ignore that, and do two months worth, as it halves prescription signing.
there is a push to avoid stockpiling because of Br***t, folk going abroad may get caught with that.
most stable prescriptions are fine e.g. antihypertensives, but some e.g. warfarin are not safe to prescribe for 3 months. prescriber liability etc ;-)
but most folk seem to get a family member to request, collect and send medicines abroad, and we know little or nothing about it.
bikedaft
Well-Known Member
the Oz system was great when we worked there about 20 years ago - prescribe something with so many repeats, but no need for another prescription. they keep talking about bringing it in here...
johnalison
Well-Known Member
It is a difficult problem and I don't think there is a single solution. Those who choose to spend their lives in Spain or wherever are simply not allowed free drugs when they return to visit their families, however much they grumble about having paid their taxes. Sailors from these shores are different, and it becomes a matter of degree, and clearly a line has to be drawn somewhere. We used to take three month cruises each year, mostly in the EU. I managed to get four months supply of my medical needs to cover me by asking politely at the surgery, and because my GP's father was a sailor. I salved my conscience by telling myself that my boat was British, so that in a sense I was still in Britain.
GPs are regularly confronted by patients 'trying it on', and they have regulations they have to stick to, so my advice is to approach your GP in good time and try to make a simple case for your needs. Avoidance of waste is absolutely essential, but the rules are not always clear and some flexibility should surely be give to honest yachtsmen.
GPs are regularly confronted by patients 'trying it on', and they have regulations they have to stick to, so my advice is to approach your GP in good time and try to make a simple case for your needs. Avoidance of waste is absolutely essential, but the rules are not always clear and some flexibility should surely be give to honest yachtsmen.
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I buy prescription meds over the counter in France and Spain (not Cantabria which requires a script). Spanish pharmacies are cheaper than a UK prescription. Obviously it will vary depending on what you need but I know someone who buys Valium from a pharmacy in Greece.
john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
We went sailing to France this year in the knowledge that I was running low on a particular analgesic that I was taking at the time and that's only available on prescription here in the UK. Our Dr said, "Don't worry, you can buy it over the counter in France."
No you can't. They changed the law several years ago... We sailed to Guernsey where the hospital relieved my of £138 to give me some more of the same drug...
Old Harry
Well-Known Member
We do same BUT grudginly we have managed to extend to a whole 8 weeks, our reason is cutting down on trips the the Docs, they issue our Meds, we give them a weeks notice so they can furnish the order, otherwise "sorry havnt come in yet,can you drive back tomorrow"
Old Harry
Well-Known Member
I would have made an appointment on my return & presented the Doc with an invoice, after all they are a business these days
colind3782
Well-Known Member
Up until earlier this year I could buy prescription meds over the counter in Spain but, recently, the pharmacies in the area around Empuriabrava have been getting quite sniffy about it and asking for a script. I don't know if the law has changed or if they are trying to reduce the number of people taking meds, such as antibiotics, unnecessarily.
ShinyShoe
Well-Known Member
It actually is here. But it's not all that different to what GPs already do.
You get your prescription from the pharmacy. They keep the prescription, you go back to them to get more. Can't be a different Pharmacy not even a different branch... So more flexible to use EPS to request it be sent to your nominated pharmacy
bikedaft
Well-Known Member
Right enough. Apart from the first prescription we take nothing to do with it
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Probably takes enough so that he does not care what they cost:nonchalance:
Graham376
Well-Known Member
For many of us, it's not about cost as we get free prescriptions anyway in Wales. It's the ridiculous situation that most people who sail (or motor home) for the summer still have their main or only property here, are council and income tax payers but, counted as non-residents if out of the country for >3 months.
Many of these rules seem to be a knock-on effect of restricting free benefits to migrant workers, under EU rules everyone must be treated the same.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
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jordanbasset
Well-Known Member
Unless you tell them no one will know anyway. But even if they know when you return after your summer away you will be counted as residents again