If you have been reading my blog for a while, you might be under the impression that I don’t like living in France. That’s actually not true at all and there are many things I love about living here. There is no way I would spend 4 or 5 years in one place if I didn’t like at least some things about it.
So what’s there to like about France? Pharmacies! As far as I can tell, France is a country of hypochondriacs. There is a pharmacy on just about every corner and there is always a line to buy stuff. Unlike in Australian chemists pharmacies, you can’t really browse around and see what they have available, you generally have to ask for what you are looking for but they’ll most likely have it and they are surprisingly cheap.
But the reason I really love pharmacies in France is because you can get prescription only medications without a prescription. I don’t have a GP here in France and I can’t be bothered to get one but occasionally I do need some medicine, usually something for my crappy skin. But how can you get prescription medicine without a prescription? Just ask! Here’s how the conversation usually goes:
Me: Hello, I would like this medicine.
Pharmacist: Do you have a prescription?
Me: No.
Pharmacist: You need a prescription or I can’t give it to you.
Me: I don’t have one.
Pharmacist: Have you used it before?
Me: Yes (lie!).
Pharmacist: I really shouldn’t.
Me: Please.
Pharmacist: Well, ok then.
I’ve done this loads of times and they don’t seem to have a problem with it. Yesterday it was even easier:
Me: Hello, I would like this medicine.
Pharmacist: Do you have a prescription?
Me: No.
Pharmacist: Ok.
About Andrea
OMG! That’s soo hilarious and explains why a friend from the U.S. was able to walk into the pharmacie in Paris and buy Retin A w/o a prescription… I talked to the pharmacist who was really nice and said that though a prescription was necessary, he just sells it w/o a prescription.. I didn’t connect that too all meds, but since you wrote this.. HOW FUNNY! So, basically, they are breaking the law b/c that’s could actually turn out to be dangerous in some cases… Not in yours, though.. right…
In the U.S. you could NEVER get a prescription med without a prescription.. But, there are sooo many things you can buy over the counter there.. probably all the things they will sell without a prescription!!! Take care, Leese
Haha, it’s funny that you say that because what I got yesterday was Retin A. I haven’t used it before but I have used similar products which I had a prescription for. I’ve got a few other things too, mostly skin related or things I’ve used before.
I’ve used Roaccutane in the past (and love it) and want to get that here but I doubt a pharmacist would give me that. I’m going to try though
There’s no way you could get these things without a prescription in Australia either. I’m actually quite shocked that they don’t seem to care as I’m sure that it’s illegal, like you said. Not that I’m complaining!