How does getting prescription medication go in countries other than the US? [I Use Prescription Drugs]

So for example, I see a neurologist for my seizure disorder, and he submits the refill to the CVS pharmacy that I use to have those pills refilled every month. I don't do the 3 months because its $120, vs. $40 a month, and I can't do generic, it has to be filled as the brand name medicine.

So I get a text notification from CVS telling me my prescription is ready for pickup. Then I drive over, give them my name and date at the counter, pay the $40 and I'm on my way out.

Does it pretty much work the same in places like the UK and Australia? Are certain types of medicine not available in all countries? Like just as an example, let's say there's two types of medicine I need, and one of those is Sample1, but in another country, they only have Sample2. Is it possible in the US we might have both Sample1 and Sample2, but in another country, they might only have Sample2?

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SW-User

I am in the UK and get free prescriptions because I have type 1 diabetes. Whenever I need anything (needles, insulin, antibiotics…whatever) I just get a prescription and go and collect it free of charge from the chemist. I love the nhs 💙

BalmyNites · F

In the UK, each single prescribed medication costs £9.35. You can buy a 3-month prepayment certificate for £30.25, or a 12-month certificate for £108.10

Under 16’s & over 60’s are entitled to free prescriptions, as are 16-18 in full-time education & pregnant women

Elessar · 26-30, M

You get a receipt signed by the specialist, now in covid time said receipt has been digitalized so you actually don't get anything you just have to show up at any pharmacy (or, with some drugs, the hospital's farmacy) with your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and you get them, it's that simple. If they don't have them in place, they order and give you a date for picking it up. If it's a recurring receipt they'll also obviously annotate when was the last time you've used it. For a huge lot of stuff (especially life-saving medicines), you pay nothing, or at worst very little, I'm not aware of any meds costing more than €20 that are *not* covered by the NHS.

SW-User

My husband takes anti anxiety, not sure what they're called, they cist €12 each month, he needs to go to the doctor every 6 months to get a new script, that costs €55

walabby · 61-69, M

True blooded Americans would hate the socialist medicines of other countries. XD

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

A doctor provides a Prescription I take to the pharmacy of my choice. They will fill it month by month, with the Brand name if I wish or I can choose a generic if available. All common meds are covered under the Pharma Benefits Govt Scheme that caps the price. Either a max of about $40, or for a pensioner or govt benefit person as about $6 per month.

Stopmakingsense · 56-60, F

You go to the doctor or dentist and they either give you the medicine or tell you what it is, write you a prescription and send you off to a pharmacy. In Italy both are privatized, and you pay the going rate. In some countries you pay nothing.

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