What do you do if you get sick on vacation?
Jul 3rd, 2005, 02:51 PM
#21
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nytraveler
<<A US prescription is not valid outside the US>>
We get DW's four prescriptions filled in Canada for $2500 less than US prices.
We also save additional money by no longer carrying prescription insurance.
<<A US prescription is not valid outside the US>>
We get DW's four prescriptions filled in Canada for $2500 less than US prices.
We also save additional money by no longer carrying prescription insurance.
Jul 3rd, 2005, 03:01 PM
#22
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I like the Italian system. When I developed a sinus infection, I immediately went in to the Orvieto hospital and asked for the emergency room. I didn't have to wait at all, the nurses didn't speak english, but we managed and they had the doctor come in and write a prescription for antibiotics. No charge at all!
Walked over the the nearest farmacia and got my prescription at half of what it would have cost in the US - again no waiting. It even came wrapped in a lovely paper printed with ancient alchemists. I saved it in my scrapbook!
Walked over the the nearest farmacia and got my prescription at half of what it would have cost in the US - again no waiting. It even came wrapped in a lovely paper printed with ancient alchemists. I saved it in my scrapbook!
Jul 3rd, 2005, 03:04 PM
#23
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Canada is a separate issue - because of the many services filling US Rxs in quantity to save people money. These services have chose to do this because it is their major business.
However, in most places an Rx is legal in a reatial pharmacy only if issued by a physician licensed to practice in that country. The reasons it is sometimes possible to have US Rxs filled in europe and other places is:
Many drugs that are Rx in the US are not in other places and the pharmacist can issue them without any Rx (I got a ghastly cold/cough in Portugal once and was given a cough syrup that you need an Rx for in the US - but not there)
In many third world countries the laws are extremely flexible - and often not followed anyway.
Many pharmacists - in all countries, including the US - will adjust the rules a little if someone in obvious distress had run out of a legitimate Rx - and simply give them the med without one. This assumes that the patient is legit, the Rx is for an inoffensive med (nothing with any street value or that can be abused etc.). (No one is going to stand there and watch a little old dear have a stroke because she lost her antihypertensives and doesn;t have an Rx.)
Generally - except for scheduled (narcotic or addictive or street drug) medications the record keeping is loose enough that this would not cause anyone problems - unless someone choose to complain to the medical authorities.
However, in most places an Rx is legal in a reatial pharmacy only if issued by a physician licensed to practice in that country. The reasons it is sometimes possible to have US Rxs filled in europe and other places is:
Many drugs that are Rx in the US are not in other places and the pharmacist can issue them without any Rx (I got a ghastly cold/cough in Portugal once and was given a cough syrup that you need an Rx for in the US - but not there)
In many third world countries the laws are extremely flexible - and often not followed anyway.
Many pharmacists - in all countries, including the US - will adjust the rules a little if someone in obvious distress had run out of a legitimate Rx - and simply give them the med without one. This assumes that the patient is legit, the Rx is for an inoffensive med (nothing with any street value or that can be abused etc.). (No one is going to stand there and watch a little old dear have a stroke because she lost her antihypertensives and doesn;t have an Rx.)
Generally - except for scheduled (narcotic or addictive or street drug) medications the record keeping is loose enough that this would not cause anyone problems - unless someone choose to complain to the medical authorities.
Jul 3rd, 2005, 03:08 PM
#24
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Had to take my son to a doctor in Germany in June. There was no need for an appointment, just walked in and waited for about 30 minutes. Charge for doctor's visit - $20 Euro. Took 3 prescriptions to pharmacy to fill, cost $40 Euro total.
Still haven't decided if it's even worth sending the receipts into my insurance carrier for partial reimbursement. I'm certain those 3 RXs would have cost me at least $60-80 USD here! Our co-pay for an office visit is $15 USD.
Still haven't decided if it's even worth sending the receipts into my insurance carrier for partial reimbursement. I'm certain those 3 RXs would have cost me at least $60-80 USD here! Our co-pay for an office visit is $15 USD.
