Is it possible to get a three-month prescription in France before extended holiday?
Medicines are usually only provided for one month at a time
French prescriptions are often valid in the UK
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Reader Question: I am planning to return to the UK for three months, but am on regular medication here. Is it possible to get three months worth of medication to cover me for this period?
The length of prescription for a medication in France depends on several factors.
In general, prescriptions have a maximum validity period of three months, however only one month of medicine is usually dispensed by the pharmacy at a time.
Depending on the type of medicine you are acquiring, validity periods may change, which could benefit you.
Some sensitive medicines are only prescribed for a much shorter period – this includes certain opiates – with some even being offered on a pill-by-pill basis or for a maximum of a few days.
However, if you have a repeat prescription for a chronic illness the prescription can be valid for up to one year maximum.
In this case, pharmacists can dispense up to three months worth of medicine at a time to avoid treatments being interrupted.
In your case, this should cover you during your stay in the UK.
Getting your prescription in the UK
If your prescription is not a repeat one, and you cannot obtain three months of your medicine at a time, you may still be able to get the medicine you need.
Post-Brexit, UK pharmacists can accept legitimate prescriptions from EU/EEA countries including France, the UK government states.
It means you can submit your prescription at a UK pharmacy to receive your medication.
Note that certain controlled substances (those classified as schedule 1, 2 or 3 drugs in the UK) cannot be prescribed, and that in some cases the exact drug may not be available on the UK market, with the pharmacist offering you an alternative.
In cases of the latter, check with a medical professional – ideally the doctor who prescribed you the drug – if this medicine is okay to take.
Alternatively, if your prescription does not cover the entire time you are in the UK, it is possible to get an online appointment with a French medical professional and receive an online prescription.
Prescriptions, including repeat ones, can be given during an online consultation – although it is best to make an appointment with the doctor who made the initial prescription for you.
Note that it is possible to consult any prescriptions stored digitally in your Mon espace santé online health space on the Ameli website from the UK.
Our article originally published in 2023 when the plans were being drawn up, explains the process, which is now widespread in France.
