Medication in Poland

I have had a few problems getting medications in Poland that are sold over the counter in the US.

For example, Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is hard to get without acetiminophen in a combination. It does exist but getting it as a single ingredient is difficult.  One pharmacist said it was not available  as a single ingredient, but  I was able to get it in Warsaw for nausea (as opposed to treating allergies, which I had requested before.)

Another example is the test strips for urinary tract infections. You can buy these in any drug store in America, but they  exist in short supply here. And the kits do not test as braodly as they do in America.  On the other hand, Sudafed (pseudophredine) is available and does not require a signature as some states in America require.

When you do get a prescription, your name won't be on a bottle (and it probably won't come in a bottle) and you won't have instructions written anywhere.  *So you need to listen carefully to what the doctor says while prescribing it.*

Although the national health system does not cover everything, the cost of most medications is lower in Poland than in America.