Do I need a prescription... ?

[helvella]

We have recently seen a lot of posts which ask whether a prescription is required for levothyroxine, liothyronine and desiccated thyroid in various countries. Indeed, whether they are available at all.

As the questions come round again and again, I have started a document which tries to answer these questions - very simply.

The document has pretty much all countries of the world listed. But it doesn't, yet, have information for most of them!

That is where I need your help, please. If you can help to fill in the blanks, please let me know!

dropbox.com/s/h9ti2sdagf3qs...

(The document doesn't even start to consider whether a country exports medicines to individuals. That is such a complicated issue I can't even begin to cover it.)

[Hidden]

I have friends in Uganda and will ask them. You used to be able to get all sorts of medication without prescription from a chemist, (most chemists would give you advice as well) but the rules may have changed.

[greygoose]

In France, T3 is POM, as well.

[helvella in reply to greygoose]

I know that full well - can't think why I didn't put that in the box? Thank you.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

I did wonder why you didn't, because I know you know! lol

[helvella in reply to greygoose]

Think I was concentrating on getting the list of countries right and just added the odd bit of information that came to mind as I went through.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

More than likely, yes.

[m7-cola]

Thank you for doing this.

[McPammy]

Thank you for putting this list together. I think once people have filled in some more information it’ll be great to publish to people on here.

[Valleycat]

Croatia levothyroxine POM

[Miffie]

Hopefully someone can update , last year in Mexico liothyroxine was OTC. I didn’t buy as in a small section of a gift shop. Wasn’t too sure it was genuine.

[Gingernut44]

Thanks for doing that Helvella, I'm sure it will be most useful when completed and save a lot of typing when individual posts come through

[ZeldaR]

Such a great idea, thank you for compiling this! In South Africa, both T4 and T3 are POM. Perhaps an idea to add requirements re presenting scripts? e.g. for South Africa the patient has to present it in person at the pharmacy (so can't email or fax), and 3 months' medicine can be provided at a time.

[Raventhorpe]

Thanks for posting this. I am thinking of moving to Spain and I was just going to ask the question if you can get liothyronine in Spain on prescription so have my answer thou not what I wanted to hear😞

[Kipsy]

I bought T4 OTC in Italy at a few pharmacies two years ago. Not sure if things have changed now though.

[knitwitty in reply to Kipsy]

I have bought Euthyrox in Venice (Italy) this year OTC no problem at all. They have 25,50,75mcg probably higher strengths but I didn't ask for those.

Could someone let me know what T3 is in Turkey please and what strength it is supplied in.

I have a friend visiting there and was hoping I could ask her to get me some.

[helvella in reply to knitwitty]

You can find a picture of a Turkish Tiromel packet in this document:

dropbox.com/s/sswtzhxvrj2qi...

Shows everything needed.

For your information, a friend is not technically permitted to bring prescription-only medicines into the UK. The provision allows for self and members of your household.

[knitwitty in reply to helvella]

Thank you, that is really helpful.

[KT77]

Does anyone know what brand of T4 you can get in Spain? Thank you.

[knitwitty in reply to KT77]

I think it is called Euthyrox.

[E_lizab8 in reply to knitwitty]

Eutirox comes in 25,50,75,100 and I think also higher but never needed it myself. As I understand it it is supposed to be on prescription but most farmacies sell it OTC if you get refused just try another. Dessicated thyroid is n/a as was struck off the legal medicines list some years ago. Spanish docs are just as behind in their knowledge of Thyroid D. as it seems they are in uk.

[knitwitty in reply to E_lizab8]

Sorry my mistake with the spelling.

[helvella in reply to KT77]

Have a look here:

dropbox.com/s/1eglsf0qntb2d...

[helvella]

Hidden - can you tell us the situation in Sweden? I rather expect strictly POM for both.

[helvella]

The document has been updated with most of what has been passed on.

dropbox.com/s/h9ti2sdagf3qs...

Please keep adding. It would be good to get information for at least 50% of the world.

[KT77]

Slovakia T4 POM

Czech republic T4 POM

[helvella in reply to KT77]

Added, thank you.

[helvella]

Anyone able to provide details for any of these countries?

Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia

Afghanistan – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Albania – Republic of Albania

Algeria – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Andorra – Principality of Andorra

Angola – Republic of Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina – Argentine Republic[g]

Armenia – Republic of Armenia

Artsakh – Republic of Artsakh

Austria – Republic of Austria

Azerbaijan – Republic of Azerbaijan

Bahamas, The – Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain

Bangladesh – People's Republic of Bangladesh

Barbados

Belarus – Republic of Belarus

Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium

Belize

Benin – Republic of Benin

Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan