How can I find out whether I can buy medication without a prescription in a certain country?
I have to take some medication every day, so when I go travelling I take a whole bunch of pills with me but eventually after a few months I run out. In Western Europe and North America I need a prescription for the medication, but in many third world countries I could just buy it over the counter at a pharmacy without having a prescription.
As I hit at least 20 countries when I go travelling, I am more interested in a complete list of countries than an answer for one country. Assuming such list does not exist, how can I find out for one particular country whether I need a prescription? Then I can do research for some of the countries I will spend more time in.
I understand that the answer may depend on the type of drug I am after. In some countries most medication may not require a prescription while other more dangerous drugs still do.
Even if people don't travel that long, they may lose their bags with their medication on a one week vacation and need to buy new stuff.
Best Answer
The only way to find out is to check the government website for the country you are visiting. The situation can vary from time to time as drugs get reclassified by governments.
Usually there will be a government department of health medicines website, or the pharmacy regulator will have a website. Obviously many of these sites will be in local-language only.
In the UK for example, some drugs can only be prescribed by a hospital consultant and not by a general practitioner.
Your travel health insurer may have - or be willing to find out - for you. A travel health / inoculation centre may also have more information, but possibly not completely up to date.
Pictures about "How can I find out whether I can buy medication without a prescription in a certain country?"
How do I get a prescription in a foreign country?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate. They should be able to connect you with doctors and pharmacies that can help you find reliable, quality medicines. Buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and get a receipt.Can I buy medicine with foreign prescription in UK?
From 1 January 2021, a prescription issued in an EEA member state (EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland can be dispensed in the UK if the prescriber is from a profession recognised by this guidance that is legally entitled to issue a prescription of that kind in the country in which the ...How to order medicine online without prescription online
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: ready made, Ann H, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska