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Subject Topic: A victory for common sense
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Personkenren
16/9/2024 at 2:16pm
 Location: East Midlands
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When I got up this morning and went to take my daily medicines I happened to notice that somehow I’d managed to not pack enough of one of them to see out the holiday in fact I would be about a week short. It is not something I’d be happy about missing for a week so my first reaction was how do I get some before my stock runs out.

We are in the south of France so I decided to phone my home doctor’s surgery to see if I could arrange for a prescription to be emailed so that I could get some from a local chemist. So I called the surgery and was advised that I was number 30 in the queue and would I like a callback when I got to the front. This I accepted and was sent a link to check what my latest position was. After an hour and a half I checked and I was number 18.

Rather than hang around, I know where the local chemist is so I decided to pay them a visit and see if they could help. I explained the situation - thankfully I speak reasonable French - and the pharmacist asked me what specific medication I needed so I produced my current packet and she nodded and went and fetched some. I asked her if I would need to get a prescription for her to supply it and she said that her first duty was to her patients and not to red tape and it was clear to her that my request was genuine so I could have them straight away. She charged me €7 and I came home a relieved and happy man.

After all this I checked and I was now number 4 in the queue which I happily cancelled.

I don’t think I would have got the same reaction in GB and am very grateful there are at least some people left that are prepared to apply a bit of common sense to what could have been a difficult situation.

Ken


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PersonMonty15
16/9/2024 at 3:13pm
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That's certainly excellent service, and some reassurance that hindering bureaucracy doesn't go 'international' under such circumstances!

But have to say, had similar 'common sense' from a local pharmacy at home. My mother was a chronic asthmatic with a cocktail of drugs, and her consumption varied significantly depending on how badly she was suffering, so keeping a suitable stock of drugs with repeat prescriptions was forever challenging, rather than relying on routine scheduled repeats dealing with demand. Our local pharmacy knew us well, and an 'emergency' request for something was dealt with on the spot, the 'paperwork' being caught up with later, AND dealt with by them! If it hadn't worked that way, my mother would likely have been an emergency admission to hospital countless times, or even died prior to medical intervention! Going to (more like attempting to go to!) our GP first would have involved days of delay as they were dreadful at communication, and took days to return phone calls, and weeks to get an appointment!

Enjoy your Hols.


Personmarg6
16/9/2024 at 3:19pm
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in the uk if you are already getting medication and you run out while away, you can go to any chemist and ask them to check "on the spine" your details and then supply the missing meds that way


Personkenren
16/9/2024 at 4:31pm
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Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 16/9/2024
in the uk if you are already getting medication and you run out while away, you can go to any chemist and ask them to check "on the spine" your details and then supply the missing meds that way


I must admit I didn’t know that. Very interesting

Ken


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PersonSGThomas
16/9/2024 at 4:48pm
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Several times we have run out of a medicine whilst in France. In each case we took the empty package to the chemist and they produced the same, or equivalent drug. Obviously there were a couple of questions but really no hassle.The charges were always surprisingly low


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PersonDavid Klyne
16/9/2024 at 9:07pm
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We had a similar situation in Italy some years ago. We did have the script from the prescriptions with us and it was very easy to get the medication, and cheap!

David


Personlongcol
17/9/2024 at 12:20am
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Having lived over here for 6 years we've found that pharmacies are the real backbone of the health system. Even a village with no other health services - and perhaps only a boulangerie as far as other shops are concerned, is likely to have a pharmacie. Size of the one in our village would put some branches of Boot's to shame.


Our experience of GP's, hospitals, and other services eg physiotherapy, is also very positive.


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Personbadger54
17/9/2024 at 8:58am
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Having lived in France for a few years in the early 2000`s I was amazed at the pharmacies everywhere, as Longcol says, even in very small towns. There seemed to be a constant stream of customers leaving with carrier bags full of meds. I remember a French neighbour telling me that the French feel cheated if they go to see their GP and don`t leave with a precription for at least 3 items.


PersonRich73
18/9/2024 at 4:42pm
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I'm not saying that this is the case here, but there is the possibility that some drugs we get on prescription are often available over the counter, and can be much cheaper.

Pain killers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can be prescribed but are available for less than a pound at the supermarket.


PersonFiona W
via mobile 18/9/2024 at 10:07pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Rich73 on 18/9/2024

Pain killers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can be prescribed but are available for less than a pound at the supermarket.



I wouldn’t dream of getting a prescription for paracetamol or ibuprofen: we always get ours from “the pound shop” or Aldi.

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2024 = 18 sites / 38 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


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Personblueexpo97
19/9/2024 at 8:46am
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I didn't think you could buy any pain medication in a supermarket in France.

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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


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PersonEwen c
via mobile 19/9/2024 at 9:00am
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Quote: Originally posted by Rich73 on 18/9/2024
I'm not saying that this is the case here, but there is the possibility that some drugs we get on prescription are often available over the counter, and can be much cheaper.

Pain killers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can be prescribed but are available for less than a pound at the supermarket.




Depends on the strength. The prescription stuff is often stronger and higher dose. Also the aspirin you get prescribed for strokes is a different dosage than the stuff you get in supermarkets. We are restricted in Ireland to how much we can buy over the counter as well. The first week out of hospital this year I wouldn't have managed on over the counter painkillers.
When I lived in Lithuania, I noticed they have more pharmacies than the UK. Then again the small town I live in here in Ireland has 5 dispensing chemists on the main street alone. I've always found French pharmacies to be excellent and very helpful.
One thing though, when I had, what I thought was, food poisoning and wind last year I only consulted the chemist. One burst appendix later...

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PersonMucker1884
21/9/2024 at 8:14am
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Perhaps something else that may be worth consideration...

If you do run out/forget to take with you, and you don't have the packet, or know the name of your meds, I guess many of us have the NHS App nowadays, which of course lists the repeat prescriptions on there (To show the local pharmacist).




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Personbilly
via mobile 23/9/2024 at 6:52pm
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If you get bound up in France the good news is that Lactulose is same word in French & similar price for same amount as UK. Comes in drinkable sachets not bottle though.

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Every day should be a holiday!


PersonNetherton
23/9/2024 at 7:35pm
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We went into a branch of Boots Chemists in Hua Hin,Thailand - same layout as in Uk, same stock,same staff uniforms, altogether a dead copy. So I said to the assistant This is just the same as in England. And she said, Ah, so, you have Boot in your country now?


PersonSGThomas
24/9/2024 at 7:12am
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Quote: Originally posted by billy on 23/9/2024
If you get bound up in France the good news is that Lactulose is same word in French & similar price for same amount as UK. Comes in drinkable sachets not bottle though.


Conversely ask for loperamide not Immodium. It is about a third of the price



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