Reduced Prescriptions Charges

[Johnrgby]

We were charged in Antigua late last week.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

I was charged in La Oliva on Tuesday, the normal 10%.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Was back at La Oliva pharmacy today and asked about the 'free' prescriptions I had heard some people had had. I was told the Gobierno has given Pensioners a 'prescription charge holiday'! The pharmacist pointed to a code on my prescription sheet and said anyone with that code didn't have to pay even the 10% for prescriptions for the time being but she didn't know how long it would last. When I asked why I had to pay on my previous visit she just shrugged!

Thanks to poppi123 for highlighting this.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

For the last couple of months both mine and my other half's prescriptions have been free of charge - great! This week mine was free, my OH had to pay 10% again - the pharmacist said to query with Social Services (INSS) in Puerto - don't think I fancy that hassle for the few cents involved! See what happens next time ….. 

[TrickyFox]

My wife and I have always paid 10%. I am a pensioner and my wife should be but of course was screwed by the UK Government out of hers for 6 years (just saying we don't work). I wouldn't bother claiming either unless it could be done online.

[Johnrgby]

Just to illustrate the point re. price differences in Farmacias, my wife has had to buy some vaseline to combat some dry skin she has, €3.50 in Caleta €2.47 in Antigua, and it is exactly the same product.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

But how long had it been in stock in Antigua? Perhaps the price sticker was applied in 1999! I bought something in a shop the other day and it had 2 price stickers - the top one was in euros, the lower one it didn't quite cover was pesetas!!  

[Johnrgby]

That has happened to me but not in a Farmacia, this is date coded until 09/10/2021 so I would doubt it is old stock.

[Johnrgby]

to further emphasise this point, my wife was recommended cream by the nurse in Antigua, for her dry skin, but was warned it was not cheap however the Farmacia in Antigua did not have it so we purchased one in Caletta, 400 ml €18.75, but it worked really well, so this morning I was despatched to purchase another, I had to go to El Mattoral first to pick up my laptop so decided to call into the Farmacia thereon the off chance 750 Mlbotle of exactly the same product  €13.95 worked out on a mil to mil comparison the bottle purchased in Caleta should have cost €7.11 {  Even Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask} at this point I rest my case.

[Captain Sensible]

The Farmacias in Puerto and El Matorral are cheaper as they are not ripping the tourists off.