Hi
We are moving to the Costa Blanca in July and my daughter takes regular medication for depression could anyone tell me whether she can still get this in Spain?

Many thanks

nikkiwinter

Hi Nikki,

You don’t say where you are moving from, but if it’s the U.K. you should be able to get your doctor to issue a prescription that would be valid in Spain, as it might take a while to get registered with a Spanish Doctor, and you might have trouble getting a U.K. Doctor to issue her with enough medication to bring with you.

I sincerely hope that her depression disappears once she has been here for a while - that’s why I moved here!

Alan.

Hi Nikki,

We will be moving to the Jaen Province in a few months and I had the same worries as yourself as I am asthmatic. While over in Jaen last year my prescribed medicine, Salbutamol inhaler ran out. I went into a Pharmacists and showed him my empty inhaler (I don’t speak Spanish) he simply handed me a new one, which cost just over 4 euros, cheaper than a prescription in U.K.
I have found that many prescription medicines in the U.K. are available to buy over the counter in Spain and are much cheaper. The next time you are over try to buy the medication in a pharmacy.

Hi
Thanks for your replies, I will try to go to the pharmacy when I’m next there.
Her medication is for depression ( prozac ) so not sure about that one, but she also has an inhaler same as yourself so that’s good I know she’ll be ok with that one.

thanks

Hi nikkiwinter,

just found this site and your question.

Been living in Spain for 3yrs and used to get prozac from the local pharmacy over here no problem either using a uk prescription over 12 months old or just asking or taking an empty box. None of the family need it now we live out here, were on it years off and on without it killing us, long grey uk days in uk used to trigger it in autumn if we were stressed at work, now no dull days no work and no stress so no prozac hooray!!

I think that the best choice for you is an . They are cheap and sure.

oh no! Did someone say pharmacy? Shit, I guess that’s like calling out the spammers! (who must all die)

There are various prescription drugs to get over depression and anxiety. But as per my opinion, such pills should only be used in accordance with the instruction of physician and ordering it online should be avoided as there is a lot of fake selling of such medicines. And if you want to order it online, it needs to be made sure that it is a real pharmacy where you are having it from.

One thing that took us by surprise is that here you pay for the actual cost of the medicine, rather than a flat prescription charge.  Fairer I guess but prices vary wildly as a result!  I would suggest getting your GP in the UK to write down not only the generic name of her prescription, but also other brand names that are pharmaceutically equivalent, so you can shop around and get the best source locally.  Pharmacists are highly knowledgeable and supportive here, but I agree with the advice that managing depression probably requires regular medical supervision and input,

Good luck, Spanish lifestyle is definitely good for anxiety and depression, and even if the move itself is stressful it will all turn out to be worth it in the end!

Maya

Nikkiwinter..
re your Q…
You have to be registered with a GP here to get some items.
It used to be a lot freer and you could get most things over the counter.
A dr in the last year or two prescribed me Anafranil - but it was totally on prescription only.
In the past year also -they have changed the laws and before you could buy penecillin/anti-biotics over the counter -
But no more :(

Ask when you get here. You will soon find out.
Hope things improve when you are here. (Most of us find this lovely climate/more relaxed lifestyle does help immensley!)