Obtaining prescription tablets.

Hi Kev

I'm planning on moving out early next year and I also take a couple of drugs that I have on repeat prescription. I researched it and it appears that both these drugs are available over the counter in pharmacies quite cheap. If you know the name of the drug you're taking you may find the same :) 

Best

Doug 

Thanks Doug. I was a bit unsure if I could get that sort of medication over the counter. I will have enough medication to see me through a month with my daughter posting me out some more as a back up. That should be enough time to sort out the pharmacies in Spain. Do you know of any good English speaking pharmacies in the area. We are in Las Marinas near Garrucha.

Thanks,

Kev.

Afraid not Kev. I'm not out there yet :) 

Bob and Sandra will probably know. They're a mine of information :) 

Hi, if you own youre own Spanish home, have nie's then check out CAT services in La Faqoia or contact the solicitor you used to buy youre villa, they should be able to get youre residencia inside a few weeks as ours did.

Register with youre local doctor's surgery.

We did and to get on the Spanish health system and get medical cards we had some forms to fill in, register at our local social services and have some bloodworks and urine tests before going back to the local nominated doctor to get current meds listed, and available Spanish alternates on youre medical card.

You should be up and running in just a few short weeks with residencia and medical cards.

Taking it for granted youre pensionista's ?  If so then prescriptions are just 10% of full cost. 

Spanish health system is very thorough, we still hafe ECG's to sort as well as a prostate exam for me, partner doesnt need a mammogram as she had one inside the two year time constraints.

Hope some of that helps.

Hi and thanks for the info.

We are not of state pensionable age so I understand we will have to pay the higher price for the tablets and will be taking out private medical insurance as we will not be contributing to the social through work. Can we still register with a local doctor or do we just need to make an appointment if we feel a bit unwell with a private doctor for either a prescription or diagnosis with an ailment? I know when we do apply for resident status in Spain we have to prove we will not become a burden to the country and that is not a problem as we have savings and private pensions,home etc,etc,but was wondering how this works with the doctors. Any help appreciated as we seem to get a lot of conflicting info on the interweb and would rather hear residents experiences.

Cheers,

Kevin.

They speak good English at the pharmacy in Las Bouganvillas and the one beside Consum near Vera Playa. Take your pill packet in and the active ingredients can be searched on computer for the Spanish equivalent. I'd be surprised if one or the other did not have what you want. I take a pill of Japanese origen for blood pressure and the chemist at Consum stocks it at a good price. Purchase over the counter!

Thanks for the info Julie. The roundabout is just about 5 mins walk from us so that's good to know :)

Would you mind if I ask how much the tablets for blood pressure cost? I am not of pensionable age so I understand I will have to pay for the tablets but if they are silly prices I will just have them sent over from the uk.

Regards,

Kev.

Hi Kevin

I pay 20 euros for 30 pills - I buy a double strength one and cut each in half so I get 60 days. I learnt that trick when I lived in Nicaragua where they were very expensive - the pharmacist there actually suggested I do that and used to cut them for me. The one I take is possibly a bit unusual and more expensive than some. In USA they are about $60 US - in Australia where I'm from, they are about $15 AUD but that is because they are subsidised on the national health system. Perhaps drop by and find out what your particular pill will set you back. 

Atenalol blood pressure tablets 50 mg x 60 , two months supply for 3€ at Farmacia next to Consum.

A tip, take an empty box in of your tablets, as we did, til they get to know you.

We have been doing it successfully for the last seven years.