Candybabe..I dont know what tablets you are taking but my cousin who's a diabetic she run out of her tabs whilst there in candolim we went to the chemist opposite ruffles and he got her tabs no problems,what a relief that was.

Candybabe, Take a photocopy of the prescription before going to the chemist, and take it to Goa with you. You shouldn't have any trouble getting diabetic medication in Calangute, but, check carefully the generic name and dosage of the tabs / injection. I'm sure a local doctor would be happy to see you / your husband if the need arose. Also re-calibrate glucose measuring equipment when you get there, to ensure accurate readings in the Goa heat.

I had the same trouble with my doctors receptionist . I made a appointment to see my doc and got 6 months supply of Blood Pressure I know i cant get my brand of BP tabs in Calangute ,but even if i could i wouldnt. Go to Mapsa where the chemist is on the corner where the night buses come in . Get your medication from there .

The chemist referred to above is Union Pharmacy, probably the most "serious" chemist in North Goa. If they fail to locate your medication, the fall back? Alternative is "Johnny's" in Calangute main street who can obtain stuff straight from Bombay.
Everyone is right to have reservations about medication bought in India, especially if it is for a life threatening condition. India has put a capital "F" in fake over the years, but if you have to place your trust, these two, plus "Hindu Pharmacy" in Panjim, near the Municipal Gardens, are the best. I am sure there are others in the south but am not aware of them.
For any medications, your biggest risk are the so called pharmacists that have sprung up in "tourist areas". They are basically just shops, trying the endemic routine of rip off the foreigner and are by far the most likely to be selling counterfeit medicines to enhance their profit.

Thanks J5 you spelt it out much better than i did.

My hubby is a diabetic and has had no trouble getting his prescription increased by our G.P. We usually only go for 3 weeks but hubby likes to take double the amount just in case one of our cases goes walkabout. He also splits his meds into the amounts he needs for each week (making 6 separate bags, 3 in each case). Don't bother going to Johnies Chemist, just come to our place............our room looks more like a pharmacy every year

E. mail your G.P or just get an appointment and explain why you need more meds, I am certain he will accommodate you. Good advise to take your prescription to Goa too, hubby does and he has also checked that he can get all his requirement in Goa - not a problem.
Fizz

Thanks to Gordon you can now be removed from NHS cover if you are out of the county for longer than 13 weeks even if you are still a tax payer and he reduced prescriptions to only two month supply at a time , soon to be reduced to only a month. It is down to the doctors to enforce this but as you are under their care it is an ethical problem and many doctors will try to over come this in their own way but some will refuse the extra prescription on budget reasons so be care of how well you think you know your doctor.

Good advise to take your prescription to Goa

Even more important take the leaflet from your medicine as this contains a list of ingredients that the chemist can look for in alternative tablets and give you two or three tablets if necessary to make up the same mix and strength

On odd occasions my o/h has run out of some of his medication and we have had no problems getting the same ones in Goa all except for his inhalers. They don't seem to use the same ones there.

It is the six monthers who need to take their prescriptions. Up to date, we have not had any problems getting our 'drugs'.

Although Johnny 5 is quite right, some of the smaller chemists that has sprung, up are not 'proper' chemists and are out to con you. Don't bother with the one just alongside the Fisherman's Cove they really overcharge - look at your packet and only pay the price printed on it.

In Panjim we use the one under Kamat Buildings, Johnnys in Calengute, and Balaham in Candolim

I have the very same problem every year with my HRT and i can only get a 1 mths supply of everything else but fortunately can get everything in Goa except the HRT(which comes in 3 mth packs luckily)... unfortunately it is impossible for me to get there as they dont do my brand even in mumbai,so I order online to my surgery in the UK and wait for some one who is coming out and ask my mum to send them the medication to bring for me, but its a very stressful situation as we are there 8 mths and despite every plea the GP is unbending and as meagain said they can actually take you off the books... so its a fine line between how far you complain as it could get worse!! (esp for us as i have just (after 4 yrs battle) successfully sued my GP over another issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!) ...in fact probably will get struck off now the legal case is over
chilly

hi
i have to take loads daily,as does my wife,most of them can be got in goa some different strengths ie 100mg instead of 300mg in my case,as chilli says hrt is a problem,we went to see our doctor just this week,who said can not give more than 3 months at one time but willing to date another prescription for three months also so our friends can bring them out in feb,

Dragon i take it the HRT is for the Mrs and not you
chilly

Thanks everyone. Much food for thought there. We will start with our GP - they are a good practice and I would hope they will be sympathetic. If not, we will certainly get our stuff out there and take our prescriptions with us. We have been using a chemist for many years for OTC stuff and she knows us well so I would trust her (she is behind the market in Candolim).

It certainly won't stop us going - I have been planning this for years!
Candybabe

Bliimey i must have a good doctor as she gave me 6 month prescription for Blood Pressure and she put it on computer so when i renew i get 6 months.I ran out of them in Goa a few years back and took similar tabs and showed them to my doc and she said they were no good for me. Thats probably the reason she let me have 6 months supply.
What is not good for me is i cant get the brand i want in the UK now ,they are supplying a different brand that i have had before and had to go back to the doctors cause my BP shot up. I used to be able to ask for the ones i want but my Chemist said he cant supply them now and i should ask my doctor to write that i am allowed to have the make i want . I am in Goa soon so will have to do it when i get back.
I have looked up the tablets i am taking on the internet and could buy them for £1.28 for a month supply if i was a chemist, so its not as though they cost a lot or i cost the health service cash as i pay for my prescriptions and as for only getting 1 month supply at a time is a joke

The doctor gave me 6 months supply of insulin and needles, plus 6 months supply of metformin, co-coldamol and 6 months supply of my morphine based tablets, hardly any room in my case for shirts, you should have no probs.
Danny

Lynndam

That is a comfort. My husband takes metformin and they certainly take up a lot of room, plus 12 other tablets so we are already prepared to take less stuff - thank goodness we are flying with Kingfisher with their generous weight allowance! This gives me comfort that he might be treated sympathetically. If I have to buy mine, that is not so bad - they are routine meds for cholestorol and blood pressure which I am sure I can get anywhere.

Certainly seems it will depend on who your GP is - we shall see in a couple of weeks. At least if he refuses we have comfort in knowing how to get more once we are in India.
Candybabe

hi chilly
never thought of that maybe i will become a secret h.r.t. taker pinching o/h s

hi chilly
never thought of that maybe i will become a secret h.r.t. taker pinching o/h s

yes Dragon bit like when i was on the HRT patches and woke up one morning to find it had gone....then turned round and saw it stuck on Mike's behind!!!!!!!!! he wasnt impressed, kept checking his boob size for unexpected growth!!!