The Pill

[wisewoman]

Does anyone know if the contraceptive pill is available at pharmacies without a prescription? Am not in the Spanish health care system and my UK supply will soon run out. Don't want to add to the population just now! A friend buys her HRT drugs over the counter this way so am hoping it's the same for the pill?

[safeashouses]

Best thing is to go into a farmacia and ask most have an english speaking assistant. I decided to enquire recently about my prescription medication and took the packet in with me, the exact tablets were available for virtually the same price as I get them on prescription for in UK.

[luffes]

They are available over the counter in most pharmacies. You may have difficulty getting the same brand you used in the UK, so it is worth taking the packaging so that they can offer a suitable alternative.

It normally costs up €10 for one month.

[indalo]

I will keep my fingers crossed you can get them over the counter, but friend of mine came to stay for two weeks and stayed for 3 months and she couldnt get them over the counter - she had to see the doctor.

[sioban]

You can get them over the counter, but why go back every month and pay 10€, I am on the injection pill and only pay 3.45€ every three months, the only problem is that i have to inject myself as they give the needles aswell!.

Sioban

[oliveview01]

Have been reading that the Government is beginning to ´cut back´on the things a chemist can sell eg: antibiotics. They will be introducing tracking systems from maker to chemist to sales with prescription. Don´t know if the pill comes into this catagory.

[costachick]

I buy Microgyon over the counter and it's cost me 4.80 a packet

[wisewoman]

Just to update on this one: I was able to purchase no more than 2 packets of Microgynon at a time from the pharmacy without a prescription, over 5 euros a packet. I've since found an online site in the Netherlands http://online-apotheek.startspot.nl/ and it works out cheaper even with p+p if you buy, say a year's worth in one go!

[lewis]

a "packet" of microgynon is that a 3 month dose or one? as i am moving out there i will obviously need to purchase them. in the uk every 6 months you have to be checked for blood pressure etc before you have another 6 months, therefore do they not offer this if it is available over the counter?

[wisewoman]

The packet available from the pharmacy was one month's worth - so you can buy only 2 months' worth at a time without a prescription.
From the online store a packet is 3 months' worth.
Obviously if you are buying without prescription from wherever, the onus is on you to have your blood pressure checked. I have this done at a local private doctor's clinic along with smear tests etc. I could get her to issue me with a prescription but have found the online purchase to be cheaper in the meantime. I don't even know if they'd be any cheaper with a prescription.

[Golden Mile Girl]

The pill is available without prescription from the pharmacy in Gibraltar, you can purchase as many months supply as you like - 6 months supply cost me £7.40.