Are US prescriptions accepted at French pharmacies?

Reader question: I have a friend coming to France in May for a few weeks from the US. One of them wants to fill a prescription in France because they think the medicine will be cheaper here. Is this possible if she brings a prescription from a US doctor?

French pharmacists are obliged to accept EU and EEA prescriptions if they contain the correct information and seem authentic.

If the exact medication is not available in France a similar alternative will be given (provided it will not harm the patients due to the presence of other chemicals the person is allergic to, etc).

UK / US prescriptions in France

A prescription from outside the EU, however – including from the UK and US – may not be accepted.

Pharmacists are under no obligation to accept them, and it is entirely their choice.

Once again, they may not have the exact medicine in question, and may provide an alternative if they do help to fill the prescription.

These rules apply for all prescriptions, both for medicines and for glasses.

Read more: What is the easiest way to get new glasses in France?

An alternative to bringing a prescription from overseas is making your friend an appointment with a French GP or doctor.

They will be able to write a prescription for them that will be accepted in a French pharmacy, and in addition, for a brand or type of medicine that is stocked in France.

The appointment will cost €26.50, although under certain health travel cards – such as a British GHIC or EHIC card – or travel insurance, part of this may be refunded depending on the level of urgency of filling the prescription.

It is also possible to search for an English speaking doctor using the online Doctolib service, however in rural areas it may be more difficult to find one.

If not, you can join your friend in the appointment to explain the situation.

Read more: Doctolib to launch AI medical assistant to free up doctors in France

Be wary about taking medicine back to the US

Note that when returning to the US, your friend will need to declare any leftover medicine they are bringing back.

In some circumstances, such as when a medicine from overseas is an unapproved version of a drug approved by the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration), it cannot be brought into the country.

Make sure your friend checks if other versions of the medicine they usually take can be brought back into the US. Details of the FDAs medicine department can be viewed here.

Related articles

Wrong medication found in herbal sleeping pills box in France

How can I see a doctor at my local French pharmacy?