Buying OTC abroad

Hello,

I don’t want to jeopardise the forum, so please read between the lines with my query.

I’ll be visiting Greece in the next few weeks (symptoms willing). I would like to purchase some OTC medications available over there. Does anyone know how much I’ll likely be able to buy and if Greece requires medical proof to buy OTC medications that may help symptoms of thyroid conditions.

Please feel free to DM if unable to comment freely.

Thanks 🙏🏻

[helvella Administrator]

If you are referring to levothyroxine and liothyronine, I think they are NOT Over The Counter. Every time I have looked on Greek sites they are shown to be prescription-only.

That they might actually be supplied by pharmacies without showing a prescription in some cases is another matter.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

I see. Do you know which countries are OTC for t3?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

It's hit and miss in Greece and possibly Turkey. Certainly in Greece some pharmacies will sell you maybe one or two boxes and some pharmacies wont sell you any at all. My daughter has been on one of the Greek islands for the last week or so and is due back any time, she said she would try the pharmacy local to where she was staying so I'm waiting to hear if she managed to get some (if she did actually try!).

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hidden]

We have a difficulty in that within the UK, Germany and many other countries, Prescription-only and Over The Counter are quite or very stringently applied.

I suspect the difference in some other countries often isn't their theoretical status, more whether the rules are applied. And their application can vary by location and attitude of the pharmacy.

[Litatamon in reply to Hidden]

Mexico sells t3 OTC.

[marigold22]

You should ask Marz , she used to live in Greece. I'm sure I remember her saying that the rules in Greece had changed

[Hidden in reply to marigold22]

oh that’s a good idea! I’ll ask Marz if they don’t mind being asked. Goodness me I hope they don’t stop doing it in other countries too…

[helvella Administrator]

I think you'll find that Greek T3 is not OTC (over the counter). It is a prescription medicine.

However, it might be that some pharmacies are willing to supply without prescription.

[Marz]

T3 and T4 can be purchased OTC without a prescription in Crete. They can get teasy during the peak season as they know some folk are abusing the availability and cheapness ! It could vary elsewhere ....

[Themia]

I live in Greece and I confirm that you can buy T3 and T4 without prescription at any pharmacy store everywhere in the country.

[Hidden in reply to Themia]

thank you so much for the insight! Do I need to prove I have hypothyroidism?Is there a cap on what I can buy and is T3 expensive?

[Themia in reply to Hidden]

No you don’t have to prove your condition, you just ask for T3 tablets and buy it. It costs no more than 2,5 euros per box of 30, very cheap, depends on the μg, 25 or 50. Theoretically, there is no limit of the amount of boxes you can buy, but you may have to visit more than one pharmacies because their stock is often limited, it depends on their demand. Still, I have no idea the amount you can export from the country and if you need an official letter to carry them with you when you leave (if it is a big amount), better ask your travel company.

[Hidden in reply to Themia]

thanks so much, that’s so helpful 🙏🏻

[helvella Administrator]

Saying it can be bought, of course, does not mean it is officially Over-The-Counter.