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Original poster

Any pharamcists about? EU prescription query

18 replies

Italianasoitis · 30/10/2023 07:07

Hi all. I live in Italy but am in Northern Ireland visiting family. Long story short, I need an antibiotic and emailed my doctor in Italy and she sent me a PDF prescription. Can I take this to a local pharmacy? Another option is to travel across the border into the Republic of Ireland, which is 5 minutes away and still part of the EU and try a chemist there? Any ideas?
Thanks

OP posts:
toomuchfaster · 30/10/2023 07:09

I would refuse on the grounds that it's not a real prescription with an indelible ink signature.

Original poster
Italianasoitis · 30/10/2023 07:16

@toomuchfaster thanks for getting back to me. In Italy, all of our prescriptions are electronic and you can just show the pharmacist the document on your phone and they scan the barcode so there's no signature on any of them (in the public health service anyway). Annoying when I need something here. Thanks again.

OP posts:
toomuchfaster · 30/10/2023 07:36

We have the same for NHS prescriptions in this country, but yours would be a private prescription. Unfortunately we wouldn't have access to the Italian system to verify it and one could use the same copy in many different pharmacies. Can you try a private doctor service in the UK?

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yikesanotherbooboo · 30/10/2023 07:37

Yes, I think you need to speak to a doctor. Depending on what the prescription is for, and your history, you might not need a face to face appointment. This will apply NHS or private sector.

Original poster
Italianasoitis · 30/10/2023 07:43

I've had a terrible cough for some time now and emailed my GP in Italy. She prescribed me a 5 day course of amoxicillan to be on the safe side. I was hoping not to have to go to a Dr here as I don't pay into the system and the NHS is over stretched enough. I might consider a private Dr here if the chemist won't accept the prescription.

OP posts:
DeathMetalMum · 30/10/2023 07:49

You should be able to access private doctors via an online service pretty easily. I know in England it's pretty simple and most pharmacies will be aware of systems.

As it's not a printed prescription with a written signature I would imagine the pharmacist would be unlikely to accept the prescription.

Original poster
Italianasoitis · 30/10/2023 08:00

Silly question, but a prescription from a private online doctor will be valid even if he or she is based in England? So long as its within the system? Just looking at online doctors.

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Original poster
Italianasoitis · 30/10/2023 08:06

OK, can I ask if there are any pharmacists in Ireland working south of the border who can assist? As the ROI is still part of the EU, is there any kind of centralised EU system where my prescription will be recognised. I'm not far from the border.

OP posts:
CliffsofMohair · 30/10/2023 08:11

Just to be aware OP it’s bank holiday weekend so things shut here today (ROI). You might not find many pharmacies open

Original poster
Italianasoitis · 30/10/2023 08:36

CliffsofMohair · 30/10/2023 08:11

Just to be aware OP it’s bank holiday weekend so things shut here today (ROI). You might not find many pharmacies open

Thank you for the heads up!

OP posts:
Original poster
Italianasoitis · 30/10/2023 08:48

Thank you so much!!!

Unfortunately some of my doctors contact details etc aren't on the prescription, nor is her signature. Her name and doctor number are, but not anything else.

I might ring around in the morning and see what happens. Thank you.

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 30/10/2023 09:10

I doubt a British GP would give a prescription for ABs for a cough, even if you were able to see one.

If you've had the cough for a while already, what's the urgency? Can you wait until you get back to Italy?

Original poster
Italianasoitis · 30/10/2023 09:33

KnickerlessParsons · 30/10/2023 09:10

I doubt a British GP would give a prescription for ABs for a cough, even if you were able to see one.

If you've had the cough for a while already, what's the urgency? Can you wait until you get back to Italy?

Yes it can. I was just wondering if it was possible to get them today as I was awake before the pharmacies opened. It can wait.

OP posts:
SisterMichaelsHabit · 30/10/2023 09:36

Definitely try the South. What's your nearest county? Our old pharmacy in Donegal might be able to help, they used to accept UK prescriptions before Brexit and seem very knowledgable about cross-border (EU) rules. I can PM you the name of it.

SisterMichaelsHabit · 30/10/2023 09:38

Otherwise you could try the out of hours service in the North or you might have to just register with a GP in the South and pay the €50 for an appointment as well as the cost of a new prescription (if it's antibiotics, probably about €20).
Edited: It's not out of hours time right now. Sorry.

Original poster
Italianasoitis · 30/10/2023 10:16

SisterMichaelsHabit · 30/10/2023 09:36

Definitely try the South. What's your nearest county? Our old pharmacy in Donegal might be able to help, they used to accept UK prescriptions before Brexit and seem very knowledgable about cross-border (EU) rules. I can PM you the name of it.

Thank you so much
I don't want to say too much but donegal is v far. Thank you though!!!

OP posts:
Daisyincopper · 30/10/2023 12:55

Where exactly are you OP? There will be some pharmacies open in the Republic of Ireland even on a holiday. Best thing is to find the nearest open one and give them a ring.
It might be simpler in ROI than in NI but I'm not sure. I know my GP (ROI) always emails prescriptions to the local pharmacy, she doesn't use paper scripts anymore. This has been done since Covid, things went electronic then.

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