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Filling a presciption in N.I. or abroad

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  • 17-07-2011 4:34pm
    #1
    lynnsback
    Registered Users Posts: 174 ✭✭


    Hello all

    I have adrenal insufficiency, so am on a low dose of hydrocortisone and have been since late 2008. If I stopped taking it, I would go into adrenal crisis and be at risk of death. So, I have to take it.

    However when I first filled it in 2008, it cost €8 for 100 tablets because it is such an old drug. In 2010 however, the manufacturer raised the price by 1000%!!! So it now costs €87 for 100 tablets.

    http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=18190

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1295610/NHS-doesnt-care-cost-medicine-Drugs-firms-accused-profiteering-raising-prices-ONE-THOUSAND-cent.html

    100 tablets is about one month's supply. I am only starting out in my career so really can't afford that.

    So I am wondering is it possible for me to fill the prescription in N.I. as it would probably be cheaper. I also know of some pharmacies abroad that accept Irish prescriptions. Since I have a valid prescription, would it be possible for me to buy from a foreign pharmacy (NOT an Internet pharmacy - an actual real pharmacy) and get it sent to me in Ireland? I know Ireland opted out of the Schengen agreement (funny how we say yes to every other crappy E.U. scheme), so am wondering about this.

    I used to go to a specialist abroad and customs told me I could carry the prescription meds he gave me back into the country as long as I had a a valid prescription. So it seems like the same thing should apply for posting them to me.

    Or could my pharmacy acquire a generic version from elsewhere in Europe?

    Anyone have any experience with anything like this?


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    #2
    FluffyCat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 340 ✭✭FluffyCat


    This has been discussed already on this forum

    Try here
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056127523

    you might find your answer;)


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    #3
    angeldelight
    Registered Users Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭angeldelight


    lynnsback wrote: »

    I used to go to a specialist abroad and customs told me I could carry the prescription meds he gave me back into the country as long as I had a a valid prescription. So it seems like the same thing should apply for posting them to me.

    Or could my pharmacy acquire a generic version from elsewhere in Europe?

    Unfortunately while it seems logical that it should be the same thing, it's not. It is legal for you to go elsewhere, fill your prescription and then bring your medication back into the country with you. However it is not legal for you to receive prescription medication by post from another country - it is still seen as internet pharmacy, even though it could be a bricks and mortar shop.

    Once there is a licensed version of a medicine in Ireland, as is the case with your Hydrocortone tabs, it is not legal for a pharmacist to source an identical product which has been licensed in another country. They must supply the Irish registered product. However if your tablets were discontinued then it would be possible for the pharmacist to source an equivalent from another EU country for you.

    Sorry I don't have any better news for you!


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    #4
    flossie
    Registered Users Posts: 160 ✭✭flossie


    If you were to go to NI to fill the prescription would you not be charged manufacturer's price anyways, as the £7 or £8 prescription fee is subsidised by the taxpayer, and you would not be eligible to benefit from it?

    Do you not have the drug payment scheme?


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    #5
    lods
    Registered Users Posts: 569 ✭✭✭lods


    flossie wrote: »
    If you were to go to NI to fill the prescription would you not be charged manufacturer's price anyways, as the £7 or £8 prescription fee is subsidised by the taxpayer, and you would not be eligible to benefit from it?

    Do you not have the drug payment scheme?

    I think the drugs payment scheme is over 120 so he he would still have to pay.


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