is enbrel free in spain

[yarrumbern]

my wife has just started on enbrel and we plan to move to spain later in the year. Will she still be able to get enbrel for free?

[Philip]

From what I have read, if you move abroad I think you will have to come come back for your medications or pay for them in Spain or wherever it is people go to. There is quite a big hoohar going on at the moment about Brits moving out and getting there benefits/pensions and medications.

I hope this helps you.

Philip

[yarrumbern in reply to Philip]

Thanks Philip. I think it would be good to get to Spain before the economy gets any worse.

[Kathyfitz12 in reply to Philip]

Philip if you LIVE abroad you can't get NHS Prescriptions - you have to register in Spain (or wherever you go to) and your entitlement is explained to you there. In most of Europe only your clinical needs are taken care of for free - it is necessary to have Private Insurance for al the other facilties we receive free on the NHS in UK. You also cannot use the EHIC card if you LIVE abroad - that is only for those on holiday in an EEC country.

[Paula-C]

This question was raised a while ago

nras.healthunlocked.com/que...

How old is your wife? From what I know if you are receiving State Pension you will be entitled to the same health care that a Spanish person will have once you have residency there, if you are not then I am afraid you will probably have to pay for your drugs.

I have read on the NRAS website once that it is easier to get Enbrel prescribed in Spain than it is here. There is not so many hoops to have to go through with NICE.

Hope your wife gets the same results from Enbrel that I have had......clinical remission.

Paula

[yarrumbern in reply to Paula-C]

Yes, my wife does receive State Pension so hopefully it should still be available free in Spain. Pleased that you have had such good results. Keep it up!!

[Paula-C in reply to yarrumbern]

I'm not 100% certain here and I would hate to think that I have given you the wrong information. I'm sure that there is lots of things that must be taken into consideration and be checked out before you finally decided to do it. My daughter lives in Gibraltar we spent a month in Spain last Christmas and the Easter before, we found the cost of living a lot less there than here.

I've done a bit of googling and I have found this.

gov.uk/healthcare-in-spain

Paula

[Hidden]

HI, from friends who have already moved to Spain, they had to pay privately until the received their 'residency papers' from the Town Hall. Would check the area that you are living in to make certain, they were also receiving State Pension when they moved.

[yarrumbern in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that Georje. I suppose the secret is to make sure you make the move with as much of the drug as possible.

[Paula-C in reply to yarrumbern]

My specialist nurse told me that they can issue two prescriptions at once. I always get 8 weeks supply, so if your wifes hospital does the same you will have four months supply of the drug. This would give you time to get things sorted. My daughter lived in Spain at first and believe me they are so slow at getting paperwork sorted.

What part of Spain are you thinking of moving to?

Paula x