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I carry my prescription drugs in a convenient container, suitable to purpose. However, I also bring a copy of the prescription label from the most recent, refill bottle. I reaffix all these labels to a piece of paper, so it can be easily faxed or photocopied. The folded paper rides in a ziplock bag with my important documents.This official Spanish government website states that you should bring a copy of your doctor's prescription for the medications you wish to bring with you. And there are additional rules concerning the importation of certain drugs which may include your "controlled substances".
Frequently Asked Questions
www.exteriores.gob.es
On a recent tourist visit to Seville, I tried to use an Irish prescription to buy a medication that is very difficult to get at home. The pharmacist wanted the script ‘traded in’ for a local version, not just a translation. I was directed to a medical center next door who wanted €230 to see a doctor who might or might not agree to issue the script. Needless to say, I declined and continue to take my chances at home.
I put individual (daily) medications in small 2"X2" ziplock bags. I have a photo of my medications on my phone and e-mail if questioned (never have been) This cuts down on all the pill bottles (7) and I am double protected. I have all medications with me while flying, not all together when walking. It is difficult to translate most medicines.
If I was reliant on any particular prescription medication - especially one which is difficult to obtain even in my own home country - then I would bring an adequate supply with me along with copies of the prescriptions as evidence of their legal status. I would not rely on finding resupplies of prescription medicines from a Spanish farmacia. Farmacias in Spain are usually very well stocked and are staffed by competent professional pharmacists but the complications associated with obtaining prescription drugs across different medical systems with different regulations and languages make it far simpler just to bring medicines from home.
Thank you for your vigilance
I must bring a lot, a lot of prescription medications for my autoimmune diseases and related conditions, some of which need refrigeration. In all my 60 years of travel, and though I had my many different doctors’ paperwork ready, no one asked for them. Ever. I even had a card from my knee orthopedist about my TKR, since I always set off the metal detectors and airport security always checks me out personally. Nearly every one of my specialists said that I do not need the paperwork. I stopping bringing the prescription bottles long ago after my first overseas trip as an adult. I have not yet experienced a problem with airport security nor Customs. Nowadays, I travel with my medications stored in nifty, compact pillboxes, while my syringes are in a case with a frozen gel pack that keeps my syringes chilled for 48 hours. I use a bluetooth temperature sensor to monitor the chilled case.
In my experience, the response you describe is becoming increasingly common. Years ago, Spanish farmacias were, shall we say, loose about prescriptions. On several occasions I got prescription medication without any prescription, just based on my notes about what I had taken previously for the same issue. I don’t think any of the meds would qualify as a controlled substance, but they were “prescription only” drugs. (The National Institutes of Health in the US define controlled substances as: “These are drugs or medications that possess the potential for being misused and are considered to be substances that have a substantially high risk of resulting in substance use disorder.”)
Same experience — my husband takes some significant medication and over many years of travel to Europe, no one has ever asked for anything. But that is also true about the International Drivers license, which seems to be required in Europe for US drivers and I have never had. What I mean to suggest is that whether you bring all the corroborating information for your prescriptions is probably dependent on how precisely you want to follow rules that seem to be forgotten by those in charge. That depends on how risk averse you are, I guess.
Yes, we were told at the car rental agency that it was only if you got stopped by the GC that you would need an IDL.
I can confirm on very recent experience with an anti inflammatory drug. In Australia, you can buy up to 25 mg voltaren tablets over the counter but no higher. In the past, I’ve been able to get 50mg Voltaren over the counter in Spain on the rare occasions when I needed same. One of those occasions arose a few weeks ago - in Spain. I could not buy any level of voltaren tablets without a prescription. I was fortunate to be able to visit a doctor and she prescribed a high dosage and explained that dispensing potential harmful drugs is now much more tightly regulated. Fair enough.
. It was also a good reminder as we usually carry a broad spectrum antibiotic when walking, but had forgotten that time.
I have also been lucky in that way, but like you, I think the better course is to bring what we need with us.
Certainly the Australian Government does, here: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/health/medications. There is also advice on the country specific pages on the Smartraveller site.
Awesome. I didn't think there would be a problem. But being that I have nor been out of country besides being on a cruise. I wanted to make sure. Thank you.
Most doctors are willing to tell the pharmacy to dispense extra meds, if you explain that you'll be on a trip and need more that the normal amount, to cover the time you'll be gone.
A problem is that the insurance companies may not pay for the extra meds.
I have a few prescriptions that I take regularly. One is a Schedule III controlled substance. I did not have any difficulty bringing my medications into Spain (actually France then Spain). I did not bring the original bottles (too bulky). Instead, I put the needed amount (plus a 7-day extra amount) into individually labeled ziplock bags and then put all the individually labeled bags into a larger gallon size ziplock bag which I called my medications bag. I always kept the medications bag with me (i.e., I did not include it when forwarding luggage).
I simply go to my pharmacy the week before I leave and have them request a "Vacation Supply". They want to know day of departure/return. I have always been able to get a supply in advance. Even last year when I was gone for almost 4 months. Never a problem.
On my 2 previous pilgrimages (and indeed, whenever I travel overseas), I take along an official list of my prescribed medications, signed by my doctor on the GP clinic letterhead. Never had any problems, in fact, last year in France, when I ran out of one medication, I enquired at a Pharmacie about how I might be able to access a small amount to get me through - the pharmacist treated my letter as a prescription and immediately issued me with a refill supply! I was only asked to pay the same cost than any Frenchwoman would have paid (less than I pay in Oz), and was issued with the "facture" that could have been used to get a full reimbursement, if I were a tax-paying French resident. It probably helped that I speak reasonably good French and that the script was only for reflux medication (not a controlled substance). I love France and I love universal health services!
