Medication

[Smnwoody1958]

Thanks for the replies to my previous post and it was nice to here from you Jacqui but here is another Question
How easy is it to get perscription drugs in Cyprus-drugs that are on repeat perscription and free on N.H.S.

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by Smnwoody1958

Thanks for the replies to my previous post and it was nice to here from you Jacqui but here is another Question
How easy is it to get perscription drugs in Cyprus-drugs that are on repeat perscription and free on N.H.S.

You can get just about any drug you can get i nthe UK but you will not get them free. Many drugs which are prescription only in the UK are available over the counter in the pharmacies here, very often under another name. You just need to take the packs to the pharmacist and they will give you the local equivalent.

[yummymummy150]

Hi may be a good idea to get your Gp in scotland to find The best and cheapest equivalent.
got a shock last week with price of my drugs(had looked before i came ) but had a new one added in sept 50€ a month .

[celtic lad]

please can you tell me if any one takes isosorbide mononitrate 25mg and where they get do they have to go the general hospital or a gp

[BabsM]

Originally Posted by Smnwoody1958

Thanks for the replies to my previous post and it was nice to here from you Jacqui but here is another Question
How easy is it to get perscription drugs in Cyprus-drugs that are on repeat perscription and free on N.H.S.

Hi, I don't know what drugs you have on prescription and where you are planning to settle in Cyprus. But I will tell you my experiences.

I take a number of prescription drugs and I could not afford to pay for them privately so I am relying on the Cypriot National Health. I am not a pensioner but I am on a UK State benefit so I was able to obtain an E121 from The Pension Service which means that the UK reimburses Cyprus and I receive the same care as any Cypriot. I registered at Larnaca Hospital and for €2 per visit the doctors gave me renewals for the medication that they have on their equivalent of the UK "NICE" list. Unfortunately this list is is not the same as the UK's and many of the drugs that can be prescribed in the UK are not available from the Cypriot NHS. Many drugs that are not on the list are available without a prescription, over the counter at a pharmacy but some of the newer drugs may not be available AT ALL in Cyprus. I have this situation with three of my medications. A close equivalent was available for one but I can't obtain two of them at all!

I would add, I checked with a pharmacist here a year before I came and he said all of my medicines were available in Cyprus but he was just plain wrong!

[celtic lad]

Originally Posted by celtic lad

please can you tell me if any one takes isosorbide mononitrate 25mg and where they get do they have to go the general hospital or a gp

i have a disabled wife and we have been here since november dont know yet if we going to stay or not as i need to work we are in paphos at the moment but we got some medication today and it cost us 122 euros so that was a bit form our budget wondered if i should visit the hospital

[celtic lad]

Originally Posted by BabsM

Hi, I don't know what drugs you have on prescription and where you are planning to settle in Cyprus. But I will tell you my experiences.

I take a number of prescription drugs and I could not afford to pay for them privately so I am relying on the Cypriot National Health. I am not a pensioner but I am on a UK State benefit so I was able to obtain an E121 from The Pension Service which means that the UK reimburses Cyprus and I receive the same care as any Cypriot. I registered at Larnaca Hospital and for €2 per visit the doctors gave me renewals for the medication that they have on their equivalent of the UK "NICE" list. Unfortunately this list is is not the same as the UK's and many of the drugs that can be prescribed in the UK are not available from the Cypriot NHS. Many drugs that are not on the list are available without a prescription, over the counter at a pharmacy but some of the newer drugs may not be available AT ALL in Cyprus. I have this situation with three of my medications. A close equivalent was available for one but I can't obtain two of them at all!

I would add, I checked with a pharmacist here a year before I came and he said all of my medicines were available in Cyprus but he was just plain wrong!

so do you think i should go to the hospital a si have a disabled wife and i have to rely on her money

[BabsM]

Originally Posted by celtic lad

so do you think i should go to the hospital a si have a disabled wife and i have to rely on her money

Ok if you are here temporarily you should have a European health Insurance card (or EHIC -used to be the old E111). Take the card to your nearest state hospital with your passport and ask to see a doctor. They will treat you as if you have an emergency on holiday and charge you €2 per visit, including medication.

If you are staying longer than a few months then you are not entitled to use the EHIC you should contact 'The Pension Service' in Newcastle and ask them for an E106, if you are to work (gives cover for 2 years) or an E121 for pensioners for those on some UK State benefits (gives permanent cover). If your wife can get an E121 then you are entitled to the same cover if you register as her dependant (we did this for my husband so it can work). When you get the form you take it to the hospital and register with it and you are into the Cyprus system.

And yes, I do think you should try using the hospital. The system is not perfect, the treatment is basic but it is treatment and it does not cost the earth!

[celtic lad]

Hi babs what benefits qualify here that are legal and are he same as uk if we decide to stay it is nice to have some one who is willing to help as we feel so alone and isolated here in paphos i am trying to find work but it is not so easy

but who knows thank you for your help

Originally Posted by BabsM

Ok if you are here temporarily you should have a European health Insurance card (or EHIC -used to be the old E111). Take the card to your nearest state hospital with your passport and ask to see a doctor. They will treat you as if you have an emergency on holiday and charge you €2 per visit, including medication.

If you are staying longer than a few months then you are not entitled to use the EHIC you should contact 'The Pension Service' in Newcastle and ask them for an E106, if you are to work (gives cover for 2 years) or an E121 for pensioners for those on some UK State benefits (gives permanent cover). If your wife can get an E121 then you are entitled to the same cover if you register as her dependant (we did this for my husband so it can work). When you get the form you take it to the hospital and register with it and you are into the Cyprus system.

And yes, I do think you should try using the hospital. The system is not perfect, the treatment is basic but it is treatment and it does not cost the earth!

[BabsM]

Originally Posted by celtic lad

Hi babs what benefits qualify here that are legal and are he same as uk if we decide to stay it is nice to have some one who is willing to help as we feel so alone and isolated here in paphos i am trying to find work but it is not so easy

but who knows thank you for your help

I'm sorry to hear you are feeling alone.

I receive Incapacity (or is it Invalidity?) benefit. That works!
When you have made enough posts them send me a message and I'll talk you through it.

Glad to be able to help. It took me ages to work through the system so its nice to be able to pass the know-how on!