Access to med in Europe (Non EU visitors)

[henryocho]

I and my partner are planning to longer holiday in Europe. We just want to know, if any, which countries are easier access to medicine for visitors, if we can purchase medicine locally. We are from Non-EU countries.

[Jim Allen]

Hi

So a few questions for you, to understand the situation better and to help us answer you correctly.

Who's medication are they? Are you both living with HIV?
What hiv meds are you currently taking and how long is the visit for?
What nations are you visiting? Is it all within the "Schengen" treaty area?

Perhaps the most logical question, why can't you bring your meds with you for the duration of the stay?

Jim

[henryocho]

I am not HIV+ but my partner is. We are from non-EU countries. (we do not have resident permit inside the EU)

Here in our country, HIV+ patients only get 30-day medicine every month. They need to see doctor every month and cannot get additional medicine for travel etc, cannot see doctor before they finish medicine. Or cannot change cycle of appointment. So if we will travel overseas, max days we can travel is less than 30 days at the moment, depending on the departure date within the month.

We are hoping to travel within Europe.

[Jim Allen]

Right I see.

Can't you convince your partners HIV clinc that due to travel you need an additional once off supply?

See sourcing HIV medication as none resident within the EU can be a real pain , it tends to be very bureaucratic between health insurance and none residency issues regarding costs and it all differs per nation state. There is no EU health system as such.

I asked where in the EU because I am presuming you mean "main land" Europe, once you have a visor visa for a "Schengen area" country, it automatically allows you to travel to the other Schengen countries as well.

UK & Ireland as examples are not Schengen countries, but i know that England have provisions for "free" to the end user HIV medication including visitors and to a degree Ireland also has this, although any other care needed might be charged.

A few other nations have free but only for undocumented migrants but not just visitors as such and only 1 other to my limited knowledge has a provision for people who can't afford the medication regardless of status, meaning free but its a long process and not much good for a short stay.

My advise is if possible source the medication before travelling but if you can't than contact the local NGO's from the nations you plan to visit beforehand to check as they will know the rules better for their nation than we do, and they can advise you what your options could be

Ireland
http://www.hivireland.ie/

UK
http://www.tht.org.uk/

The Netherlands
http://hivvereniging.nl/
servicepunt@hivvereniging.nl

Denmark
https://aidsfondet.dk/
info@aidsfondet.dk

I had a quick look where you are located (Only the moderators can see this) and I will PM you with some details and thought on sourcing meds closer to home before traveling to the EU.

Anyhow wishing you both the best and hope you enjoy the trip.

Jim

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/212952/DH-Guidance-HIV-and-NHS-Charging-fORMATED.pdf

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/10/08/162510446/england-offering-free-hiv-treatment-for-visitors

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm

P.S

I moved your post to "Someone I Care About Has HIV" this section is for friends, family and loved ones of people living with HIV and you can post here.

Best

Jim

[mecch]

Check specifically the country you are going to.  What Jim says, there is no uniform standard.  Many of the countries are good about migrants and exiles - but those people are LIVING here.  A tourist needing a bottle of Atripla, for example - I don't know..... The retail price of the drugs are HIGH in Europe by the way. First world pricing.

Maybe you could go be tourists in Thailand first. But 2 months of the drugs there. Very much cheaper - maybe you can afford that.

Keep 1 month as a safety for your own country (you never know when their might be a shortage - this way you will have a safety.) Use the other month to cover your travel outside your country.