long term touring and perscription drugs

[p40ufh]

hello here is my question my parents are both on long term perscription drugs and are looking at touring europe for 4 months or so how do you get hold of your drugs if ur perscription only lasts you for 6 weeks or so? also my father has to have a 3 monthly health check done due to one of the drugs he is on being capable of knackering up his liver etc any cheers in advance phil

 

[AndyC]

You can ask the doctor if he will prescribe 3 months worth of medication. Over 3 months out of the country and you are considered 'not resident' by the NHS and are not entitled to prescription medication. If he won't, you can ask for a copy of the prescription and try to get the medication abroad.

Your father would be well advised to return to the UK for his checkups, it might be possible for him to get the checkups done in an EU country if he is prepared to try and negotiate a foreign health system. How are his language skills?

AndyC

 

[Deleted member 207]

My father approached his GP and explained that he was coming to Australia for about a year and got some sort of exemption letter to get the supplies from the chemists, plus a letter from the GP to explain the reason for the drugs to Australian customs if needed. I would assume the same sort of thing would apply to European travel.

Blood tests - my wife had to get one done in the UK and it was really just all too hard for the GP who did not understand the reciprocal health care agreement. When we went to France I found a GP who took the blood, ordered the test and gave us the results in less than 24 hours (UK was two weeks wait). Most blood tests are standard around the world nowadays - a liver function test will be the same in the UK as France - the results maybe in a different format, metric not imperial.

 

[Tbear]

Hi p40ufh,

Without a lot more knowledge of your parents conditions nobody can give you better advise then their GP. Simple blood tests are just that but may cost you a few quid. You can get more drugs than a normal prescription gives you. The vast majority of drugs are available across Europe but they would need evidence of need. I am sure their GP can provide this. However the cost of drugs can be prohibitive depending on what they are.

Give us more detail and I may be able to give you more info.

Richard

 

[Yorkshirepudding]

I too have a long term prescription and over the years have built up a "surplus". The monthly prescription is for 28 days and the "next issue" date is a about 20 days so over a period it is possible to have a surplus.
Hope this helps.

 

[John H]

We regularly spend most of the year out of the UK and my wife needs medication. She has a very good relationship with her GP who allows her a six-month prescription for her blood pressure medication. One of the two tablets she has to take are, however, sold over the counter in Spain (and in South America, Australia and New Zealand and probably other places we haven't been to). In short, it is worth having a talk with your GP and finding out about availablility of the drugs needed in the countries you are visiting.

 

[Kontiki]

We usually go for trips of about 3 months, I have no problem getting drugs for the amount of time we are away. I tend to always build up a bit in hand by getting my next prescription slightly early each time.

 

[maingate]

We regularly spend most of the year out of the UK and my wife needs medication. She has a very good relationship with her GP who allows her a six-month prescription for her blood pressure medication. One of the two tablets she has to take are, however, sold over the counter in Spain (and in South America, Australia and New Zealand and probably other places we haven't been to). In short, it is worth having a talk with your GP and finding out about availablility of the drugs needed in the countries you are visiting.

You have a knack of putting peoples blood pressure up on here John.

Perhaps a divorce for Mrs H would be more effective than medication.

 

[David & Ann]

My Doctor always gives me all the tablets I need for the time I am away. I tell him of my date of departure and my date of arrival and I get the full supply, whether it be 1 month or 6 months.

 

[John H]

You have a knack of putting peoples blood pressure up on here John.

Perhaps a divorce for Mrs H would be more effective than medication.

I really don't know what you are talking about!! Must be something to do with strange northern humour, I suppose (if that's not a contradiction in terms).

 

[Deleted member 967]

We regularly spend most of the year out of the UK and my wife needs medication. She has a very good relationship with her GP who allows her a six-month prescription for her blood pressure medication. One of the two tablets she has to take are, however, sold over the counter in Spain (and in South America, Australia and New Zealand and probably other places we haven't been to). In short, it is worth having a talk with your GP and finding out about availablility of the drugs needed in the countries you are visiting.

We also have sorted out with our doctor and get 6 months prescriptions. Joan miscalculated her BP tablets and was able to buy a months supply over the counter at the Farmacia here in Spain for 3.50€. All she did was take the package with her name on into the shop. However the other drug she takes for gout is not available in Spain so she would have to see the local doctor and get an alternative prescribed. There would be no problem in doing that either.

I agree with JohnH, have a talk with your doctor. It is up to your doctor how much he prescribes. There are guidelines but some doctors seem to take it that they are only able to prescribe to that limit and the dispensing chemist have been known to only dispense to this limit, so my doctor contacted the chemist to make sure we got the full prescription.

I have 6 monthly check ups for my BP tablets as does Joan. I also have breathing checks for COPD. We have arranged with the surgery to have all of these one at one visit. Despite this I received a phone call inviting me to go for the COPD test last Friday. I had to explain to the receptionist that I was in Spain so could not do so. It seems reception/administration don't read the notes information.

John