The green and red cross sign commonly seen outside pharmacies in Spain, making it very easy to find them.
Credit: Shutterstock
Millions of Brits are preparing for their holiday this summer, excited for sunnier climates, but do they know the rules and laws around drugs in Spain?
Know your rules
While some holidaymakers may have been previously warned of what they can and can’t bring to Spain, others may be unaware of what to be careful of and what it is permitted.
With more than 86 million trips taken last year by the Brits, it’s imperative medical laws and regulations are known before going to the airport.
Common opioids that are prescribed for pain relief in some countries, including Oxycontin, Vicodin, Morphine and codeine, are now banned in more than 25 countries.
Spain is the United Kingdom’s most popular travel destination in 2023 more than 17 million British travellers headed south for their holiday, according to Statista but holidaymakers must remember their prescriptions or medical report, otherwise their drugs will be seized.
Holidaymakers visiting from the UK to Spain need to be aware that their prescriptions must be written in Spanish.
Well Pharmacy warns
Well Pharmacy, a top pharmaceutical company in the UK, has urged Brits this summer to be clear on the legality of their medication in foreign countries.
George Sandhu, Well Pharmacy’s deputy superintendent, said “While the United Kingdom offers a variety of over-the-counter medications, there are various laws around the world which differ from our own.”
Sandhu added that “British holidaymakers should be aware of the dangers when travelling with prescribed medication and make sure that they always carry a doctor s note with their medicines.”
“If any patients are in doubt about their medications”, George Sandhu urges them to “speak to their pharmacist who will be able to offer advice”
Key vocabulary
Once you’ve made it to your summer spot in Spain, it’s also important to know the useful vocabulary necessary to get by comfortably on your holiday.
The most common words you may need when visiting a pharmacy in Spain are for ordering common products and medicines.
Pharmacys in Spain are called Farmacias.
Here are the five most common terminology you should know while in Spain.
Medicine in Spanish is la medicina.
For any holiday bumps or scrapes, a bandaid is las curitas and a bandage is las vendas.
For general pain killers, in Spanish it is el analgesico, and for aspirin la aspirina.
Antiseptic is el antiseptico and antibiotic is el antibiotico.
In the Spanish sun, sunscreen is essential, and to ask for that it is el bloqueador solar.
When pharmacies open
It’s also important to know when pharmacies are open.
In Spain, citizens across the nation practice the act of siestas, a short nap taken in the early afternoon.
Most pharmacies in Spain also adopt this, and will close from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Opening hours for pharmacies in Spain are usually 9/9:30 am to 2 pm, when they close for siesta and reopen at 5 pm to 9:30 pm.
Make sure to check your local pharmacy s opening hours and where your nearest one is at your holiday destination.
How to find them
Pharmacies are easy to find in Spain as they are usually signposted with a cross sign in green lights, commonly displaying the temperature and/or time.
Some Spanish pharmacies are open 24/7, but again make sure to check this.
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Originally from the UK, Harry Sinclair is a journalist and freelance writer based in Almeria covering local stories and international news, with a keen interest in arts and culture. If you have a news story please feel free to get in touch at [email protected].
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