Medical prescriptions in Germany
May 15th, 2005, 08:45 AM
#1
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Medical prescriptions in Germany
A number of travel guides suggest carrying prescriptions along with the prescrition bottle in Germany. How important is it to to do this? Also, if you loose the medicine, will German pharmacists fill your American prescription if itis written with the generic name? My doctor's nurse refuses to get copies of my prescritions for me to carry, telling me that Germany (and other countries as well) will not honor the American prescription written by my doctor. Is she right? I need to know before I press my case further. Thanks.
May 15th, 2005, 08:49 AM
#2
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HI--they would never honor a photocopy of a Rx, I am not sure about originals. I think you need to speak to your MD directly and ask him what people do about necessary medications if they are lost while traveling.
May 15th, 2005, 09:22 AM
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For info purposes, there is no need to carry a written prescription along with the prescription bottle. If you have a medication that you MUST have daily and cannot be without, consider splitting the pills into 2 bottles (w/ labels) and stash one away in a safe place in your luggage.
The piece of mind of having a real backup will be far better than having a piece of paper from your doctor and wondering how to get it filled at 5pm on Saturday when everything is closed till Monday am.
May 15th, 2005, 10:28 AM
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J62, that's a good idea about splitting the prescription into two bottles. BUT, I guess, I want to clarify, can my American doctor write a prescription that can be used in Germany?
May 15th, 2005, 10:31 AM
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As long as the med is in the original bottle - and the generic name is noted if your med is a brand name - you have all the info you need to get something replaced.
It is true that American MDs do not have prescriptive powers in Germany - or anywhere outside the US. Just as a German MD could not write an Rx here - they are not licensed.
But if you have the correct name any pharmacy can either issue you an emergency 1/2 day supply - or call a local MD for you - who would do it over the phone - assuming the med is not schduled.
It is true that American MDs do not have prescriptive powers in Germany - or anywhere outside the US. Just as a German MD could not write an Rx here - they are not licensed.
But if you have the correct name any pharmacy can either issue you an emergency 1/2 day supply - or call a local MD for you - who would do it over the phone - assuming the med is not schduled.
May 15th, 2005, 10:32 AM
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I would recommend to take your prescrption with you and do as J62 said. If you loose your medication visit the next specialist you find and have him/her give you a german presciption for the pharmacy. No big deal... During week ends there is a excellent system for medical help available. Go to the next hospital, they will help you. Every pharmacy posts the address of the next pharmacy which is on duty (24 hours) that day. This wont be far away from your location and you can get all you need even in the middle of the night. In medical emergencies dial 112 and an ambulance will be on its way to help.
You will need a travel insurance, medication is extremely expensive (many times even more expensive than in the US) and you will be charged the full price! So its not a good idea to import medication from Germany!
Germans only pay a small fee according to the size of the package, so we really dont care how much it costs.
You will need a travel insurance, medication is extremely expensive (many times even more expensive than in the US) and you will be charged the full price! So its not a good idea to import medication from Germany!
Germans only pay a small fee according to the size of the package, so we really dont care how much it costs.
May 15th, 2005, 10:39 AM
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A number of other travel guides probably tell you to get an extra refill prior to departure and keep those suplies in two separate places..although how one loses meds when traveling I've never been certain of, especially if they carry them on the plane with them.
May 15th, 2005, 10:59 AM
#9
My thought is as posterd directly above, why not explain the situation and get a double the prescription filled for what you need for the length of the trip? and keep them in separate places. This would be MUCH easier than trying to fill a U.S. prescription in a foreign country.
Now, if your trip is more than a month or you are actually moving to Germany, then you might need a different solution.
Now, if your trip is more than a month or you are actually moving to Germany, then you might need a different solution.
May 15th, 2005, 12:37 PM
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Thanks everyone. I will be gone 5 weeks, but my HMO is being obnoxious, telling me that since I just had the medicine refilled, I can't get a second refill. I will have to get on the telephone Mon. and talk to Members' services and explain that my medicine will be gone before I return home> I don't want to spend my time on vacation at pharmacies. And I like the suggestions about having an extra bottle with me. I will ask the pharmacists to list the generic on the label. Thanks everyone.
May 15th, 2005, 01:41 PM
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It is no problem, just take as much as you need. If you still have a problem loosing it or whatever, you can be sure that you will get anything you need anywhere in Germany within a few hours max. If you lack any meds you will get it in Germany fast and without major probelms. The system works extremely well.
May 15th, 2005, 02:03 PM
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annetti, I understand perfectly what your problem is. Here in CA the HMO's will only pay for a 30 day supply of medications. I do not have the problem, as I am not on meds, but my next door neighbor is. She recently went through the same problem. She finally threw up her hands and paid for the second renewal of meds out of pocket so she would have what she needed while on vacation.
May 15th, 2005, 04:40 PM
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As noted by several posters above, your American prescription won't get you anywhere in Germany. However, make sure you take the containers the meds came in with their labeling and the pharma contact info. ALL your meds.
If a medical problem does crop up and you need to see a physician, you will find most Germany doctors very helpful. For a moderate or serious problem, always go to a hospital. For something minor, you can see a non hospital physician, but usually you need an "in"--a friend, colleague or family member who goes to that physician. The paperwork for treating foreign patients is quite complicated and most family docs aren't prepared for it, esp. in small towns.
Two years ago, I developed a very painful stiff neck (from taking a nap sitting up in an awkward position). Our German relatives took me to their family physician. She was great, treated me very well. But she refused to accept payment because of the whole paperwork bother. Instead, she asked me to make a contribution to the "coffee break" fund for her staff.
Pharmacists in Germany (and in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland) are superb. They are very knowledgeable and will give you truly individual attention.
If a medical problem does crop up and you need to see a physician, you will find most Germany doctors very helpful. For a moderate or serious problem, always go to a hospital. For something minor, you can see a non hospital physician, but usually you need an "in"--a friend, colleague or family member who goes to that physician. The paperwork for treating foreign patients is quite complicated and most family docs aren't prepared for it, esp. in small towns.
Two years ago, I developed a very painful stiff neck (from taking a nap sitting up in an awkward position). Our German relatives took me to their family physician. She was great, treated me very well. But she refused to accept payment because of the whole paperwork bother. Instead, she asked me to make a contribution to the "coffee break" fund for her staff.
Pharmacists in Germany (and in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland) are superb. They are very knowledgeable and will give you truly individual attention.
May 15th, 2005, 05:02 PM
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logos999 -
It has nothing to do with studying pharmacy - meds can have very different brand names in different parts of the world. And sometimes a med available most places is not in all (for various arcane reasons including differing medical practices and government payment plans.)
Knowing the brand name can really simplify the process. Otherwise the MD or RPh has to go on-line to an American PDR or other resource to get the info they need.
It has nothing to do with studying pharmacy - meds can have very different brand names in different parts of the world. And sometimes a med available most places is not in all (for various arcane reasons including differing medical practices and government payment plans.)
Knowing the brand name can really simplify the process. Otherwise the MD or RPh has to go on-line to an American PDR or other resource to get the info they need.
May 15th, 2005, 09:08 PM
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When I go to Hungary every year, my Doctor always gives me hand written prescritions to take with me. In 1999 I got very ill right after arriving in Hungary! I was so stupid and drank the water on the airplane in the rest room to take my medicines. at least 8 ozs. I thought I would die the next day! I lost 22 pounds in two weeks that trip. I couldn't go anyway, I had to be close to a bath room at all times. I didn't put 2 and 2 together about the water for a long time. My husband who was back home, called my Doctor told her how sick I was after a week. She asked him if he had a phone number where I could be reached. So she could talk me personally. He gave her my cell phone number. She called me there, and told me to go to the American clinic in Budapest, she gave all the information and all. My Doctor also faxed information to the hospital for me. Our health insurance took care of everything when I returned home. Thank God I have such a wonderful and caring Doctor. I was only her patient for about a year, because I had just moved to MA area. Alizka
May 16th, 2005, 06:16 AM
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logos999 -
Yes - they do have this "big book" - it's called the PDR - or Physician's Desk Reference. Only the book is different for each country - because it contains all of the specific drug info as approved by the local governmental medical authorities - which can differ vastly - along with the name of the med.
And the "ingredients" you're referring to are the generic name for the drug. If you can;t tell them this - but only the brand name they need to go to the "big book" of the country you come from to see what med they are really dealing with.
Perhaps I'm using terminology that is unfamiliar to you - but believe me - brand names differ - and generic names are what's useful to a foreign MD or pharmacist.
Yes - they do have this "big book" - it's called the PDR - or Physician's Desk Reference. Only the book is different for each country - because it contains all of the specific drug info as approved by the local governmental medical authorities - which can differ vastly - along with the name of the med.
And the "ingredients" you're referring to are the generic name for the drug. If you can;t tell them this - but only the brand name they need to go to the "big book" of the country you come from to see what med they are really dealing with.
Perhaps I'm using terminology that is unfamiliar to you - but believe me - brand names differ - and generic names are what's useful to a foreign MD or pharmacist.
