If I take a prescription written in English from a US doctor for a non habit forming drug, can I get it filled at a pharmacy in France? I might be staying longer than my insurance allows refills.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Probably not. You will most likely have to visit a clinic to get a prescription from a French doctor, since the US doctor isn't licensed in France.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
We have Blue Shield and they'll allow refills if we tell them we'll be in Europe when we are due to get another refill. Check with your insurance co.
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
We take a note, written by us, to the pharmacy with the dates we will be gone and where. The people there take care of everything in regard to calling the insurance companies. We usually get a full two months worth, or more if we need it.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10633 posts
As others have said, the insurance will let you fill in advance if you'll be traveling.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Nancy from Bloomington is right. A French pharmacy isn't allowed to fill a prescription from a US doctor. It doesn't matter what drug the prescription is for. I've been down this road myself. You need to get an adequate supply from your US pharmacy before you go. Pharmacies and insurance companies are very used to "vacation" refills. But if you do run out of one of your meds overseas, don't panic. Odds are a European doc will take care of you and write your refill. This is what happened in my case.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Travel Insurance company Medex has a feature on their policies called "assistance in replacing lost or stolen medicine". I haven't had the opportunity to need that feature so I don't know how well it works but contacting your travel insurance company is an option.
Posted by
OP
sarasota
64 posts
Thanks everyone, I usually get vacation refills, but I was just thinking of the "in case" senerio.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Well, just in case it is good to take a prescription with the generic drug name written on it. It is not useable to get a prescription in France BUT it will be useful if you have to replace the drug and need to see a doctor, it will at least confirm to him the drug and dosage your doctor has you on,, most times you will find an english speaking doctor, but I would think its nice to have the actual dosage your doctor prescribes spelt out .
You may know your drug by its commercial name, so with the language issue its best to have the real medical name,, so many drugs can sound similar.