Does anyone have experience buying T3 OTC in Greece?

[JasmineJasmine]

Does anyone know about buying T3 over the counter in Greece?

It turns out that my friend is going there. I just wondered if it is straightforward to buy there, do they sell it at every pharmacy and roughly much it costs?

Thanks.

[helvella Administrator]

I have never been convinced that T3 is technically over the counter in Greece. Though many have reported they have been able to buy it as if that were the case.

More recently, there have been quite a number of members reporting they were refused. And even more recently, that little or none is available at all.

Also, just so you and your friend knows, the legal side says that you can import for your self and household. Not friends and colleagues can do so for you. (This isn't meant to be censorious - just making sure you know.)

helvella - Personal Importation of Prescription-only Medicines

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[JasmineJasmine in reply to helvella]

Thank you. I appreciate the info!! :o)

[Pixielula in reply to JasmineJasmine]

I was in Cyprus earlier this year managed to buy 3 pkts over the counter then found a lovely pharmacist that said if I give him some notice he can order a larger amount as they only keep a small amount in stock. We are going back next year and that is what I will do! See how it goes

[Pixielula in reply to Pixielula]

€3:15 is what I paid

[JasmineJasmine in reply to Pixielula]

Wow! What a bargain!

[Blissful in reply to Pixielula]

(Just to say) it's a common misconception but the Republic of Cyprus is not part of modern Greece - while undoubtedly many things are the same, some rules/laws are a bit different.

Did you get Uni-Pharma T3 or Tiromel when you visited?

Also just to say, pharmacies in Greece also only keep very limited stock of most prescription medicines - (apparently) part of the reason is due to the heat and as a deterrent to robbers!

[Pixielula in reply to Blissful]

This is the one I got I have been before and got it before…. I always take an empty box with me and show it

These ones

[Blissful in reply to Pixielula]

Thank you - you bought Uni-Pharma T3. I hope you will be successful next year.

[Angie33 in reply to helvella]

I’ll let you know! I have ran out of T3 and also in Greece. Greek pharmacists are having problems locating it for locals but trying to source some. 2 Eros for a months supply!! Really!! Why does it cost an arm and a leg back home in the UK! £250 pm. Although my endocrinologist has sourced some from Germany for £60 pm!

[BenLabrador]

My son was unable to buy any in Athens last week, he was told there is a shortage.

[Ebx_design]

My mum was in Greece last month, went to over 5 pharmacies for her T3, all said out of stock. Sorry, no.

[Marz]

Dithyron is the T4/T3 product 🌞

[Blissful in reply to Marz]

Thanks for that, I knew there was a combination one but the name had escaped me! I will ask at my local pharmacy - actually it would suit me very well - current (long-term) regime is 12.5mcg T3 and 100mcg T4 five nights a week. I was thinking of getting Mex Cytomel but the post about contaminated ingredients e.g. fentanyl rather put me off!

[helvella Administrator in reply to Blissful]

There are several combination medicines across Europe including Merck – Novothyral (spelling varies by language/country) and Sanofi – Prothyrid. And Abdi Ibrahim Bitiron on Turkey.

Afraid I have always found it difficult to access real Greek information but it is possible Dithyron is not the only product available.

helvella's medicines documents (UK and Rest of the World) can be found here:

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

This link takes you to a page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and Google Drive, and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones.

The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrix for tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Blissful in reply to helvella]

Afraid I have always found it difficult to access real Greek information but it is possible Dithyron is not the only product available.

Thank you - I will ask locally about Dithyron and any possible alternatives. I will let you know if there are any here.

The medicine shortage has been on-going for probably at least 5 years e.g. BP meds, rat poison etc.

I only take T4/T3 and about 18months ago decided to increase my stock due to the "general instability" from the ongoing conflict (up the sea from me) - I've probably got a 3 year supply - because of the current story, I'll have to check where they all are - I'm not a good squirrel - how do they always know where they stashed their nuts?

[SarahJane1471 in reply to helvella]

So why can we not get combination T4/T3 in this country 🤬🤬🤬

[helvella Administrator in reply to SarahJane1471]

No company has applied for a licence.

In a country which appeared to make T3 completely unobtainable, why would anyone apply for a licence for a combination product?

However, there was a UK product long ago:

1960/06/11

Diotroxin

Liothyronine and L-Thyroxine. — Glaxo Laboratories, Ltd., Greenford, Middlesex, announce the introduction of Diotroxin tablets on June 13. Each tablet contains 10 microgm. of liothyronine sodium (L-triiodothyronine) and 90 microgm. of L-thyroxine sodium. Diotroxin tablets are in Schedule 4b of the Poisons Rules and may be supplied only against prescriptions. They are issued as tax-free dispensing packs of 100 and 1,000.

archive.org/details/b199747...

Not sure how long it lasted.

More historical information here:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[SarahJane1471 in reply to helvella]

🤦‍♀️

[Marz in reply to Blissful]

I remember our Accountant in Crete proudly showing me her box !

[SarahJane1471]

I’ve just come back from Crete. I walked in to a pharmacy and said “I’m on holiday and have run out of T3 but don’t have my prescription”. The reply was “you don’t need a prescription but we are having difficulty getting it in stock, if you come back in a few days I will try and get some for you”. 🤷‍♀️I was leaving the next day so thanked her and asked specifically for her to confirm I did NOT need a prescription and she confirmed.

My friend travels to work to Athens 3 times a year and walks in to pharmacies and just asks for 2 boxes in each. She is never asked/ questioned about this.

Yes it is Uni Pharma

[heathermr]

I am in Greece atm in Zante, I have asked at many pharmacies both large and small and the message is the same, T3 is out of stock and has been for over 3 months even for those with a local prescription. It's very hard to get as no stock anywhere. They seem to have stopped making it suggested a local pharmacist. What a pity!