Hallo everyone! Today I want to share with you some things about buying medicine in Germany, and I guarantee you will gain a lot!
Doctor’s prescription: Without a prescription, even a god can hardly buy medicine!
In Germany, prescription drugs cannot be bought casually. You must have a doctor's prescription! So, if you are sick, don’t try to be a doctor yourself. Go find a professional to get some medicine. This is safe and effective.
Health Insurance: Most prescription drug costs are covered!
In Germany, public health insurance is a blessing for everyone. Most prescription drug costs can be reimbursed, and you only need to pay a small part. However, reimbursement under private health insurance may vary, so remember to check your insurance policy carefully!
Pharmacist's personal responsibility: medical quality is guaranteed!
More importantly, pharmacies in Germany cannot be limited liability companies. Pharmacists are responsible for their own companies and have to take responsibility if any problems arise. This regulation is intended to ensure patient safety and medical quality, so that everyone can feel more at ease when buying medicine.
Buying medicine at a pharmacy (apotheke): electronic prescription, done with your mobile phone!
After getting the prescription, you can go to any pharmacy to buy the medicine without any restrictions. You can go to whichever pharmacy you want. Moreover, German pharmacists are very professional and will give you detailed medication instructions so that you can take the medication with peace of mind. Even better, many places in Germany now have electronic prescription systems. Doctors can send prescriptions directly to pharmacies, and you can pick up the medicine just by showing the prescription number on your mobile phone. It's super convenient!
Online pharmacy: You must have a physical store to open!
German online pharmacies are also very powerful, and you can buy almost any medicine there. But there is a very special rule: if you want to sell medicine online, you must first have a physical pharmacy! Moreover, a pharmacist can only open up to four physical pharmacies. This is to prevent monopoly and allow everyone to buy affordable medicines.
Advantages of online pharmacies: convenient and affordable!
There are many benefits to online pharmacies: you can place orders 24 hours a day, there is a wider selection of medicines, they can be delivered to your door, they can even provide prescription services, and the prices are more favorable!
Intimate reminder
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Can tourists buy medicine?
Yes, tourists can also buy medicines in Germany! If you need to buy prescription drugs during a short stay or travel, just make an appointment with a local doctor and get a prescription. However, be aware that visitors usually have to pay for doctor visits and medication out of pocket, which can be relatively expensive, especially if they do not have international medical insurance.
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Tax Refund Policy
Regarding the tax refund policy for purchasing medicines, tourists can usually apply for tax refunds on over-the-counter medicines they purchase, as long as you meet Germany's tax refund conditions (for example, leaving the EU in a short period of time and the shopping amount reaches a certain standard). Whether tax refund is applicable when purchasing prescription drugs depends on the specific circumstances. It is recommended that you ask the pharmacy whether it can issue a tax refund form (Tax-Free Form) when purchasing. -
Buying medicine at German airports
The good news is that you can also find pharmacies (Apotheke) at major German airports such as Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport, which usually provide tourists with the service of buying over-the-counter medicines and some basic health products. If you need to buy prescription medicine, you still need to get a prescription from your doctor first. However, due to the limited variety of goods in airport pharmacies, it is recommended to purchase at pharmacies in the city.
- If you want to confirm whether a pharmacy is German, you can check the registration information and company background in the "Impressum" on the pharmacy's website.
In short~
The process of buying prescription drugs in Germany is standardized and safe, allowing you to use the drugs with greater confidence. Whether it is electronic prescriptions or online pharmacies, they all reflect Germany's emphasis on medical quality.