I get free prescriptions, however my local GP is like a chocolate teapot, useless, so I paid to see a private GP. He said I should change my medication and gave me a script. When I showed it to my local GP he said no way, they are to expensive.
I know this medication is available on free script in UK.
Therefore is there anywhere I can check whether this treatment is available here ?

Know what you mean. I was referred to go on Statins by a private doctor here, and when I went to the chemist they were €50 a bottle. Statins elsewhere I found at a couple of euros for the same amount

I think it depends a lot on the GP.

I was prescribed the expensive statin (Atorvastatin) privately but the GP put me on the generic one (Simvastatin). When the levels did not go down enough she put me back on the expensive one.

yes a lot will depend on the gp....the pills I am on cost 500€ a box (1 month supply) but I only paid a fraction of the cost in Spain but the gp and specialist at the hosp were happy to prescribe them to me.....they are free in UK

Thanks all,
That seems strange that the GP gets to choose.
If I remember rightly, in UK there is a list of drugs that are available to patients on the NHS. Therefore if it's on the list a GP cannot refuse you the right to have them.
So basically if GP here says no I have no choice, that's fair!

Trust the doctor !

Just cos they cost or are free doesn`t mean they are any better for you, the doctor knows best for your ailment.

Which Doctor???
The one who says I need to change or the one who says I can't?
Private doctors don't give out free scripts.

You have answered your own question, private doctors prescribe the ones they get the best commission off.

Well that's a tricky one, surely that's a matter of ethics which I am totally unqualified to answer.
I thought the idea is that GPs will discuss medication with their patients as to suitability, as in changing it if there are problems with side effects or no longing working etc. Medication should be chosen on patients needs not cost.

Oh well, looks like another battle with the authorities. Shouldn't take more than a couple of years to sort it out then.

That is what I am saying, but a private doctor will push stuff he makes the most on regardless if there is a cheaper option.

How does a doctor get commission on drugs? It's the chemist that makes the profit and you choose which chemist to use.

Private doctors prescribe the most expensive drugs because they can and also they assume that private patients can afford them - not an unreasonable assumption.

Have you never seen the drug salesmen visit a doctors, the doctors get a handout by prescibing them, I have often been given a sample pack.

I understand that. However the Local GP is not offering me a cheaper option, he isn't offering anything, that's the problem.

Fred,
You're quite right. I've lost count of the number of times I have had to wait whilst an army of reps go into push their wares

So how do they make money by giving you a free pack of pills?

The drug companies have no idea what drugs an individual doctor prescribes. In the UK they just keep pestering them and give them a few freebies and hope that they will prescribe their drugs - believe me - I used to train drug salesmen!

I have no actual proof, but I understand the "hope" is in a brown envelope along with the samples. ;-)