Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

Merrywidow

Hi there gang - what a horrible storm - glad all stayed in one piece. Shame about the pine forest, 60% is a LOT of forest. I wonder what new growth it will generate? My snowdrops are out in the garden - what joy - it shows Spring is making its gentle approach.

Merrywidow

Hi donny-gal - Have you any plans yet for your return journey - offer still stands. The coffee is the genuine dutch stuff - none of the instant rubbish!

hermanmunster_3

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

My blood pressure tablets are just over two euros for a months' supply (if I had to pay in Spain which I don't),. These are the only ones I have on prescription therefore much cheaper than UK (free actually as here I am exempt from prescription charges!).

so why is it that my patients are always after 3 months worth of medication before they head back to live abroad ... mainly France or Spain. I always get an odd look when I suggest that if they are living abroad I am unable to monitor their condition and take responsibilty for the prescribing and why don't they see a doctor abroad for theie medication??????

donny-gal

Well MW you beat me to it. We are catching the 2pm crossing on Sunday, we will set off plenty early enough to allow for delays as you have to on a 250 mile journey, so maybe be in touch if we are early, if not, if you are about at the end of March will certainly take your offer up for coffee. Other than that we are going over to France with the 'van third week in June, and will be having a few days down around your area then, so if nothing else we can plan a coffee then.

DG

Merrywidow

Whew donny-gal - you are full of plans. Unfortunately, Sunday is out as I have a Golden Wedding Lunch party to go to. No plans for end of March so that would be OK. June is a bit far off to plan yet, but have no plans. Have a safe journey from Donny - talk to you again on the other side - giggle......

droopsnout

" ... the other side ..." Is there anybody there?

droopsnout

hermanmunster wrote: »

so why is it that my patients are always after 3 months worth of medication before they head back to live abroad ... mainly France or Spain. I always get an odd look when I suggest that if they are living abroad I am unable to monitor their condition and take responsibilty for the prescribing and why don't they see a doctor abroad for theie medication??????

Well, doc, I'd suggest that they're not aware of everything they should be aware of. The reason is probably because it's a pretty scary thing to see a "foreign" doctor when you're away, to explain that you have condition x, then to ask for medication, thinking that the doc will ask why on earth you didn't bring it with you (and that in any case you won't understand the question when s/he asks it!).

And, of course, no-one would think that they could get their meds without a prescription.

Psychology, I think.

seven-day-weekend

hermanmunster wrote: »

so why is it that my patients are always after 3 months worth of medication before they head back to live abroad ... mainly France or Spain. I always get an odd look when I suggest that if they are living abroad I am unable to monitor their condition and take responsibilty for the prescribing and why don't they see a doctor abroad for theie medication??????

Because they may not be covered by the Spanish NHS - most expats under pensionable age are not - and blood pressure tablets are prescription only. They would have to pay to see a Dr.

Although we are below pensionable age, my husband is covered for the Spanish NHS because he is on long-term Incapacity Benefit from the UK (All above board!) and I am covered as his dependent.

Many drugs that are prescription only in the UK can be got without in Spain, including antibiotics and antidepressants,:eek: and you can buy HUGE packets of very strong Ibruprofen and Paracetomol - my English Dr friend had a fit when he saw them!:rotfl:

So, the answer to your question is, they may be stocking up because they are not covered under the Spanish NHS.

seven-day-weekend

And of course, as droopsnout says, any visit to the Dr has to be conducted in a foreign language!

We always write down what we want to say before we go, stick it through a translator programme, and show the Doc that if we get stuck.

Oldernotwiser

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

My blood pressure tablets are just over two euros for a months' supply (if I had to pay in Spain which I don't),. These are the only ones I have on prescription therefore much cheaper than UK (free actually as here I am exempt from prescription charges!).

You're lucky that you've hit retirement age only needing one regular prescription; I come away from the pharmacy with 2 carrier bags for my husband, every month!