Medication in Austria

Member since 14 January 2019

LoïcViP04 March 2020 09:06:48

1777

Good morning everyone,

Whether it's a simple cold or a chronic illness, medication and medicine use vary from country to country and culture to culture.

When you are used to certain brands or types of drugs, being in a country like Austria with different rules can affect your daily well-being.

Some drugs also differ in name, price, dosage, active molecule, so we would like to hear your opinion on these issues:

Have you ever had difficulties finding familiar or useful medicines for your health in your host country?

Have you ever been faced with a shortage of medicines in Austria?

Would you have said that in Austria drugs are more or less expensive than in your home country? Do you find them more or less effective or of similar quality?

What is the place of alternative medicines in your host country? Have you ever used them?

Thank you in advance for your feedback,

Loïc

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Rod604 Active member

Member since 15 February 2011

Rod604Active member09 March 2020 14:25:54

Medicines generally are more expensive in Austria if bought off prescription, so do not expect to buy Paracetamol for 18 cents (12), as you'll pay over €5!
In Austria the Apotheke/apothecary have a monopoly, so NO medicines are available in the supermarkets, only in the Apotheke. Prescription items cost €6.50 per item, less than nearly £10 in the UK. There are no pensioner reductions or exemptions. They do however keep a record of expenditure, and of you frequently spend a %age more in a calendar year, then sometimes in December, they are free.

SimCityAT Expert

Member since 08 April 2014

SimCityATExpert09 March 2020 15:32:48

13555

Rod604 wrote:
There are no pensioner reductions or exemptions. They do however keep a record of expenditure, and of you frequently spend a %age more in a calendar year, then sometimes in December, they are free.

Unemployed get them free.