repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

hi my brother in law asked me to ask.. he has various repeat prescriptions and worried how that will work when he moves to spain.. will he still get them no problem? we are thinking he will need to pay for them as he is a few years off retirement age? how much are prescription charges?

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

Ive moved you to the Spanish section as you will get more interest there

Yes, he will have to pay for his drugs, but as to how much ... well, that depends on the drug :)

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

yes, as Mitzy says 'it depends...........'


I pay 40% of the cost of the drug - a pensioner pays 10%

if he's not able to access state healthcare here he'll pay 100%

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

thank you.. glad to hear he will be able to get even if he has to pay..x

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

he was more worried he would not be able to get.. so thank you for clearing that up.. he will just need to check out the prices as everything will be different.. at least it will be less in a few years for him..x

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

read your blog by the way.. very good.. x

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

If your brother-in-law is a few years away from retirement age, he will also need to give some thought to how he is going to access medical treatment. Providing his NI contributions are up to date, he can get an S1 form from the DWP in the UK which will entitle him to use the Spanish state health service for up to 2 years. After that, unless you are receiving a UK state pension it becomes a problem. We were in that position when we came here 6 years ago and took out private medical insurance to bridge the gap, but luckily neither of us had any pre-existing medical conditions. If your relative needs repeat prescriptions for a number of medications, that doesn't sound to be the case for him, so he might find it difficult and expensive to get cover.

Also, only a couple of months ago Spain started to require people wishing to sign on the official register of foreigners (as you are obliged to do if you have been living here for more than 90 days) to provide proof of sufficient income to support themselves and medical cover, in order to ensure that they don't become a burden on the state, so your BIL will need to have that organised.

Apologies if you already knew all of this!

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

it will depend on the why he gets repeat prescriptions - if relatively innocuous (which as in my case just hypertension) or if he is receiving long term Incapacity Benefit.

The DWP issue a form called an S1, of which there are 2 types
a) for the fully retired or those on long term incapacity benefit see
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-...althcare/e121/

b) for early retirees and those posted workers sent by their company see
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-...althcare/e106/

Initially he should also ensure he has an EHIC so he has cover until such time as the relevent S1 is issued. However, if he has been abroad on holiday then he probably has one already. (Since 1st May 2010, the UK is responsible for issuing the EHIC to UK pensioners resident in other EU countries). For further info see
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-...althcare/ehic/

you will find the FCO website full of interesting information for those intending to move permanantly or temporarily to Spain.

As to costs, as others say, there are variables. Not yet of retirement age but registered in the Spanish System, with S1 etc my last prescription cost €3.84 for 4 packets for the month. Not the same as the free from the NHS but about 8-10% of the full price on the Spanish database (according to the receipt they now give you showing these prices). They seem to generally use the same generic names in my case so no different names to learn.

If already registered with UK local GP to make online appointments and repeat perscription requests you should find it will tell you what items and the doseage etc. It can be a good idea to print off a copy of that to give to the doctor in Spain - he will understand it.

Hope this is enough to help your BIL and get him making contact and ordering the relevent forms. It may be another country, another language, another health system but it isnt all that different IMHE

kind regards

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

wow - tons of info!

the S1 usually arrives pretty quickly, so as long as he applies in plenty of time before moving he should get it before he leaves for Spain

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

having spoken to the people in Newcastle myself I have always found them very very helpful, seem to have all the info to hand and just get on and do it
and they will deliver to an address in Spain - albeit posted in Malta or Spain and taking 3-4 weeks IME

just remember that when coming to retirement age that the S1 (formerly E106) has to be replaced with an S1 (formerly E121) and has to be reregistered with the Spanish medical authorities.

,

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

Don't forget as from 1st December almost 500 common items will not be subsidised at all and will attract full price, even for pensioners.

List here
http://www.diariosur.es/apoyos/docum...dicamentos.pdf

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

whoever made up the list ?
not in alphabetical or numerical order

:frown:

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

Yes it jumps from D to P:confused: I made an error too I should have put 1st September:o

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

thank you thats great, not sure what he takes but i will give him the list..x

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

no i did not know all that so thank you..

Re: repeat prescriptions in costa del sol
 

thank you domino, i will pass it all on, not sure what he gets x