Over the counter Medication

i have had prescription from my oncologist at the hospital refused at 2 pharmacies now with the reason given they do not stock it so maybe there is a problem with supplies.

They did change things a while ago.  You used to be able to get 600 mg ibuprofen over the counter but it's now prescription only for that dose.  Not heard of anything recently though 

You can still get 600mg ibuprofen OTC in at least 2 pharmacis. The one about 50 yds from Mercadona in Garrucha, and the one next to Caixa bank in Mojacar. 

Hi there,

I don’t think there is a problem with supplies (in my case that is), purely that they are not allowed to sell the product without a pres

Thank you

Luckily you have private health insurance, so no problems getting your meds. It’s only people who live under the radar with these new rules that need to worry.

Not luck, necessity. I would be lucky if I didn’t have to pay🤪, although I take your point re those living under radar.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Saludos 

It´s strange, but different Chemists have different rules, so worth trying a few.

I can give you an example, my dog has to take Alopurinol 300 for leishmania,  This is a medicine normally prescribed for people with gout, supposed to lower uric acid, which I always bought over the counter from the same large Chemist in Campohermoso  where it is convenient for me to shop. Suddenly, they started saying that I would have to bring a vet's prescription, and so I tried another smaller Chemist in a place called Pueblo Blanco nearby with the same response.  Then I decided to try again in a smaller Chemist on the outskirts of Campohermoso and there was no problem at all and I have been buying these tablets there for a couple of years now and there are also chemists in Vera who will sell you them too from what I am told.  So my advice is not to give up yet!

Agree, particularly about the large chemist in Campohermoso who have usually been particularly unhelpful to Spanish and Brits alike.  Recently I tried to buy 1% hydrocortisone cream which I have been using sporadically for over 50 years for minor skin problems.  It is certainly an over-the-counter medication in the U.K. although they will check you are not going to use it on your face.  I am pretty sure it’s OTC in Spain as well.  Chemist in Campohermoso implied I was asking for something really shocking and told me I had to get a prescription - other chemist on outskirts had no problem at all.  I try to avoid the first one where possible although it is convenient.  Have also found that rural pharmacies are less restrictive about the need for prescriptions as access to doctors can be more difficult.