How Ukrainians can buy medicines in Slovakia: what to do under prescription control

Slovakia became one of the countries that provided shelter to thousands of Ukrainians forced to leave their homes due to a full-scale war. Along with the right to temporary protection, citizens of Ukraine gained access to the health care system. However, even within the limits of formal guarantees, they face a number of practical difficulties — in particular, when it comes to obtaining the necessary medications. The pharmacy system of Slovakia has its own clear rules, which are significantly different from the Ukrainian ones. The first is strict prescription control. You will not be able to buy an antibiotic or heart medication here without a doctor’s prescription. And although the country has a system of compensating the cost of medicines for persons with the status of temporary protection, ignorance of the mechanism of its use often becomes an obstacle to timely treatment. IA “FAKT” offers a step-by-step guide for Ukrainians who need medicine in Slovakia.

Pharmacies: how to find them and when they work

Pharmacies in Slovakia are marked with a green cross and the inscription Lekáreň. They can be found both in large cities and in small settlements. All of them have a standard mode of operation:

• on weekdays — from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
• on Saturday – mostly until 13:00,
• on Sundays and holidays, other pharmacies are open.

An up-to-date list of on-call pharmacies is published on a specialized website otvorenalekaren.sk. This is an official resource that allows you to find the nearest working pharmacy by geolocation.

Medicines without a prescription: what you can buy yourself

Slovakia adheres to a strict policy in the field of circulation of medicinal products. This means that most drugs require a prescription. Without it, you can buy only medicines that do not pose a significant risk to health:

• paracetamol (in the form of Paralen),
• ibuprofen (Nurofen),
• some antihistamines (Claritine),
• cough syrups and tablets (Ambrobene),
• cold sprays (Olynth),
• some antifungal creams (Canesten).

These are basic means for self-treatment of uncomplicated conditions — colds, pain, seasonal allergies. But even if the condition worsens slightly, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Prescription drugs: list of categories

In Slovakia, a prescription is required to purchase the following drugs:

• antibiotics — Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone,
• hormonal agents — Levothyroxine, Prednisolone, birth control pills,
• sedatives and hypnotics — Diazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam,
• narcotic analgesics — morphine, tramadol, fentanyl,
• cardiovascular drugs — Enalapril, beta-blockers, statins,
• psychotropic and antiepileptic — Olanzapine, Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine,
• inhalers for asthma and COPD — Budesonide, Salbutamol, Fluticasone,
• oncopreparations and immunosuppressants — Methotrexate, Cyclosporine,
• systemic antiviral agents — Acyclovir, Fluconazole (not to be confused with creams).

The reasons for prescription control are not only safety, but also resistance to self-medication, which can lead to serious complications, especially in the case of the use of hormonal, psychotropic or antibacterial drugs.

How to get a prescription

To get a prescription, a citizen of Ukraine needs to contact a Slovak doctor who has an agreement with an insurance company serving persons with temporary protection status. The list of such doctors is available on the website e-vuc.sk.

At the reception, you should bring a document confirming your protection status (police certificate, insurance card, etc.). If language difficulties arise, Ukrainians can use the free telephone support of “Health Line”: +421 2 21025075 (every day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). There you can also get an initial consultation or help with finding a doctor.

Compensation for the cost of medicines for Ukrainians

Citizens of Ukraine who have the status of temporary protection in Slovakia have the right to partial or full compensation for the cost of medicines. This is provided for by the state health insurance system.

Compensation depends on:

• having a properly prepared prescription,
• belonging of the drug to the list of reimbursed,
• current patient status in the insurer’s database.

The main source of information is the website VšZP, where there is a special section in Ukrainian. Important: in order to receive compensation, the drug must be purchased from pharmacies that have a contract with the same insurance company as the doctor who issued the prescription.

Examples of drugs and their analogues

Practical advice for Ukrainian patients

1. Always check the dosage and composition – they may differ from Ukrainian analogues.
2. Do not engage in self-medication – even familiar drugs may have other contraindications.
3. Keep copies of prescriptions and receipts from pharmacies – you will need these to prove your right to compensation.
4. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are already taking, especially those brought from Ukraine.
5. In case of an emergency, search for another pharmacy through the website otvorenalekaren.sk.

Access to medicines in Slovakia for Ukrainian refugees is part of the basic protection provided by European legislation. Knowing the system, understanding the rules of prescription and compensation mechanisms is the key to maintaining health in a new country. Being informed allows you to avoid misunderstandings, save money and, most importantly, get the necessary treatment on time.