Yes, I have enough medication to start a small pharmacy. You may find yourself lacking in other things here in France but healthcare will not be one of them. It’s the best. I have had the best of everything from MRI, Cat scans, lab work, been referred to specialist and given every kind of medication available and I do mean every kind. If one didn’t work another was tried.I have nothing but good to say about my medical care here in France but I do have one teensy weensy suggestion. Letting the expat who really doesn’t understand how things work know that she is not obligated to refill everything on the prescription every time she goes will save the government a lot of money and me storage space which I’m frightfully short of.
For years now I have walked home from the pharmacy with this overstuffed bag filled with pills and I cannot tell you the embarrassment I felt each time I had to get my prescription filled. What the pharmacist was thinking I could only imagine as I showed up every month for my fix.
It was only recently when I had to use a new pharmacy with an English speaking pharmacist that I learned I could actually tell the pharmacist what I needed, what I didn’t and how many of each. Imagine that? I walked home the other day with 2 little boxes of medication that I have to take whether I want to or not rather than a grocery sack full.
My French husband had no idea either. Did I say this was all free?
8 comments:
I absolutely love French doctors and pharmacies. Best system ever. My medication is usually free too, or if not, I have to pay something like 1,70 € !
Oh, me to, Jennie. My health has never been better in my life.
Hey, thanks for dropping by! I know you must be really busy.
I've got my little collection of medication as well - courtesy of the French health system! I stock up everytime I pop over ;-)
OH MY! I had NO idea about that! I HATE to take meds.. even if it is just Advil... I was the same way in the States but there... I only paid $5 per perscription... and $0 copay... So, doctors were SUPER CHEAP for me there... and here.. you have to pay each time you go to one and WAIT to be reimbursed... I think it is a PAIN!!! Glad your health has never been better... Take care, Leesa
I'm really looking forward to seeing Michael Moore's new film "Sicko" which apparently extols the virtues of the French health system. And yes, the mantra seems to be "Did I say this was all free?"
Hi Lesley..I haven't really been interested in seeing it mainly because I don't need Micheal Moore to tell me that the majority of Americans cannot afford necessary health care. I lived in that position for years. If I moved back to the states today I would not be able to afford the healthcare I receive for free here in France today.
I do that all the time, it drives me crazy when I walk out with a prescription for six or seven things, and I only really need two of them. It's such a waste of money, and considering the state of la sécu, I'm not going to put them further in the hole by getting unneeded meds.
As for "Sicko", I'm interested in seeing it mainly because Moore spends a lot of time comparing the French healthcare system to the American one. Plus, some of our fellow bloggers are in it! He spent quite a bit of time filming in Paris, and one night he invited 10 or so expats out to dinner to find out their thoughts on healthcare in both countries.
Hi Samantha!
I'm going to see the movie at some point although it will depress and anger me. That fellow bloggers are in it adds makes it more enticing to me. ;)
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