Q&A: Can I order prescription drugs online in Ireland
Mike from Colorado, who asked about public holidays in Ireland, had another good question, that Americans moving to Ireland might particularly be interested in. In the States mail-order pharmacies are big business, and a very common, and cost-effective, way for people to receive their medication. He asked:
Is there a service for ordering prescription medications in Ireland?
Unfortunately Mike, the answer is no. At least for now. Irish law prevents the online ordering of medication. You have to go to a pharmacy with your written prescription. From what I've read on various news media sites there is a concern related to counterfeit drugs, which the regulators can't seem to look passed.
On a related topic, there are online services in Ireland which allow you to receive a paper prescription from a doctor here, without the need for a face-to-face consultation. Without having personal knowledge of the system, it does seem to be far more cost-effective than what a visit to a local GP would cost. However, all illnesses can't be assessed virtually, so a doctor's visit may be necessary depending on the condition.
References:
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland: http://www.thepsi.ie
Online Irish doctor services:
- http://www.webdoctor.ie
- http://www.lloydsonlinedoctor.ie
Disclaimer: I think it's important for me to point out here, that the services at the URLs above are completely unrelated to The Ireland Move Club. I take no responsibility for their service, information on their websites, or for any interactions you may have with them.
Image credit: Flickr/infomatique
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