Another thing, how easy is it to get medicines for day to day use? since i have a lap band, i am on multi vitamins(A to Z-compound and calcium and Vitamin E), these are a must for me since i eat much less thn a 4-5 year old. i was planning to carry normal painkillers, anti-flu-viral tablets, and some others for which we do not require a prescription. in India is is very easy to get medicine from teh shelf, except for the ones which are prescribed for specific ailments, all are available without prescription. will it be the same there as well or do we need prescriptions for something like a cramp soother during the period days or an anti biotic for a common cold& cough... i get an upset stomach very often because of my eating habit. and the doctor prescribed some laxatives etc for those days. again, laxatives can be picked off the shelf without anyone questioning you here. what is the scenario there?