FranE

Good evening all


We're planning on spending a whole year, from February 2018, at our holiday home


We're both on permanent regular medication (2 each). We have had no difficulty getting two or three months' supply for our holidays, but I can't imagine they'd be happy to give us a whole year's worth in advance.


Husband thinks we can arrange for our daughter to collect it and post it out, but would that cause a problem with customs - either UK or Spanish?


I am planning on popping back to England a couple of times for a few days to see friends and family (hubby says he can't be bothered!) and as a last resort I could make sure it was 3-monthly and take the meds back with me, but if anyone has any better ideas, or foresees any problems that haven't occurred to us, I'd be very grateful to hear them.


The year away is a one-off by the way. We do understand that we will be living under the radar. Also, we realise there could be potential problems with our EHICs, but our conditions are stable and as for anything else, we'll just take a chance. We're coming back before March 2019, just in case!




Thanks.

jonboy

Maybe have a review of the medicines a few months before you go.
Then if all is OK your prescription will remain valid for the following 12 months. You could nominate a friend/relative to pickup and cash in the prescription every 3 months thereafter and send it on to you. Given the amount and variety of items being posted around the globe I doubt your package would attract any interest. Register online with the surgery so you can email them to renew the prescription.

Enjoy the prolonged holiday!

spainrico

I have vitamin pills delivered without a problem, so can't see a problem - assuming you have a postal address which the Correos can deliver to (and not some remote area or new urb they don't arrive at)

Lincoln45

Presenting a prescription abroad

Presenting a prescription at a chemist's abroad - Your Europe - Your Europe

FranE

Thank you both, that's encouraging. Review of our medications before we go - excellent idea!


We are in the campo, and don't have post, don't even have an address! But we can have packages delivered to the local Correos, via the "Lista de Correos" service. ( Excellent service, and completely free ).

spainrico

Great! I have never heard of that service.

FranE

I'm not sure now how we stumbled upon this service, but here's a link


Receiving letters and parcels in Spain


We have used it a few times.. I did on one occasion have a minor difficulty with an employee who kept asking for my aviso de llegada but another employee quickly intervened and explained that Lista de Correos items were held separately. It's only for items delivered via the postal system, not courier deliveries - they won't sign for them.


Haven't tried it yet with letters / birthday cards, only parcels/packets.

Fredbargate

I have purchased some of my meds in Spain at very little cost when necessary.
Also in January this year on a visit to Casablanca I foolishly put both our medications in a suitcase that never arrived, so we purchased the most important ones from a Moroccan chemist again at little cost.
I have photos of our prescriptions on my phone, normally kept up to date to show any chemist should it be necessary.

FranE

Another good idea, Fred, thanks. Were these prescription medications you bought, in a farmacia? I don't have any of our prescriptions (the tear off part), but could photo the labels on the boxes.

pwwm

Like Fred I always have photo of my meds, also never put meds in hold luggage as Fred has found to his cost, many people do, you shouldn't have any problems having them sent over but a lot can be bought at a local chemist here, just take in the box or your scrip. I used to tell GP I was going away for 3 months but as soon as I could I changed here in Spain, obviously that wont help you. Get family to collect for you, that wont be a problem, maybe don't mention you are away (I used to work for GP practice) Some don't like to give meds out if you are abroad, friends of ours for example did a three month world tour, couldn't get enough meds, GP most obnoxious, but most are ok. Have a great time, you may not want to go back lol. oh why not ask at reception for printed copy of your meds? you don't have to say why, if you feel you have to, just say in case of accident etc etc.

Fredbargate

They were prescription meds. and although the brands may be strange to a foreign chemist they will give you similar or generic options.

Also like pwwm I have managed to build up 3 months worth of meds which so far have seen me through any extended holidays

Rotor

Worth checking the cost of your medication as in some instances a pharmacist will sell you meds without a prescription so long as you can present the old packet , this is so they can be 100% sure you are getting what you need, I dont think they will do this with anti depressants and the likes. My FiL buys all his hypertension meds in Spain as they are 2.20 euros a packet as opposed the English prescription fee of around £8.00 .

Rosemary

Depends very much on the attitude of the pharmacist. I tried to buy my hypertension tablets when I first moved over here but was refused even though I had the packets and medical information to back it up. However, I have been told that if you approach them in an area with a high level of tourists that this may be different.

Rosemary

Rotor

My FiL has never had a issue in our predominantly Spanish town however they will only supply one packet so he just goes around the whole town buying one packet at each pharmacist.