Question
I am still in year one of my Spain non lucrative visa. I have private medical insurance with a Spanish Health Insurance. I cannot buy some of my medication over the counter. I managed to bring some from the UK but will run out shortly. The Farmacia has told me I need to get a prescription. I have contacted Salus who tell me I need a doctor or specialist to prescribe it and they do not deal with prescriptions so how do I get my medication?
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”Just go to a private English-speaking doctor. A visit should be between 50 and 80 euros. You might be able to hand in the bill to your insurance”
”You make an appointment at a private medical clinic to see a doctor and get a private prescription to take to the Farmacia”
”Go to the closest doctor that is on the list of approved physicians and clinics. your insurer’s website or App. Make an appointment online or through the insurer. Take your normal medication so they can see what you take and get a prescription. Generally, it’s a one-month prescription but you may be able to ask for more. Take the prescription to a Farmacia. You may be told that it’s not in stock but they will get in for you for next-day collection. The Dr will be free but the medication will not be”
”Just go on a doctor’s visit and have them prescribe. The insurance doesn’t deal with the cost of the prescription but it should cover the doctor’s visit”
”Also, when privately paying a prescription shop around as the private pay prices are not regulated and they can substantially differ from one fármaco to another”
”As they said, go to a doctor and get a prescription. Take that to the pharmacy and pay. Your insurance company might pay for the consultation but they won’t pay for the medication”
”You need to go to a private doctor or one associated with your insurers. Obviously, you will have to pay for the doctor’s visit, which your insurer should reimburse you. You will need to pay for the medication”
”My husband and I got our Canadian prescriptions renewed here in Denia from a physician with our insurer (Sanitas). We then took them to our local Farmacia. Since our renewal two years ago, we just take to box top from our medication. We have never had to go back to get updated prescriptions”
”We don’t need insurance…. but we can’t see a doctor either..all phone consultations unless they ask you to go into surgery. This is all since Covid”
”you need to register with a doctor in the area where you live so you get your meds”
”If with Salus: can you not go online and make an appt with an appropriate specialist doctor (or general medicine)? We’re with Salus and always visit one of the IMED hospitals”
”We are with Salus , we just went down to the nearest medical centre/ hospital we could use on the Salus website list of covered clinics. We took the medication my husband was running short of and explained we need to get a prescription. We saw a doctor (General medicine) there and then were given the prescriptions. Just be aware you need a prescription for EACH box of medication, it’s not a prescription for a month’s supply as in the UK. We had to go back a week later to get another prescription as we didn’t realise this until the farmacia explained”
”Register with a local doctor or clinic. We are covered with the S1, but I don’t think that makes a huge difference”
In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, the best way to get your medication in Spain if you are still in year one of your NLV and have private medical insurance is to go to a private doctor or clinic on the list of approved physicians and clinics on the health insurance’ website or app. Make an appointment online or through the insurer, take your normal medication so they can see what you take, and get a prescription. Generally, it’s a one-month prescription but you may be able to ask for more. Take the prescription to a Farmacia. You may be told that it’s not in stock but they will get it in for you for next-day collection. The doctor will be free but the medication will not be.
