Medicines abroad: how Ukrainian refugees can navigate German pharmacies and the medical system

When Ukrainian refugees move to Germany, they face many challenges, especially in the area of healthcare. One of these challenges is finding analogues of familiar Ukrainian medicines, as even the simplest drugs available in Ukrainian pharmacies can differ significantly in name and composition in European countries. This creates additional difficulties, as it is often difficult for people to quickly find an alternative and get the treatment they need. In addition, it is important to bear in mind that the health insurance system in Europe, particularly in Germany, has its own peculiarities that differ from Ukrainian standards. These issues become especially important for those Ukrainians who not only want to buy medicines but also need regular medical care. The FACT news agency will tell you in detail about the analogues of Ukrainian medicines in Germany and what steps you need to take to get medical care.
Analogues of Ukrainian medicines in Germany
One of the most common types of medicines that many people need is painkillers. In Germany, you can find analogues of such popular medicines in Ukraine as ibuprofen or paracetamol. For example, the active ingredient ibuprofen is represented in such German medicines as:
Algofen;
Advil;
Nurofen;
Brufen;
Doc Schmerzsalbe – an ointment for relieving joint or muscle pain.
For those who are used to paracetamol, analogues are represented by the following drugs:
Acetaminophen;
Panadol;
Gelocatil;
Calpol;
Ben-U-Ron;
Perphalgan;
Buscopan;
Thomapyrin Classic is a citramon analogue;
Thomapyrin intensiv – a stronger drug.
Medicines against allergies
Medicines for the treatment of allergies also have their analogues in Germany. Here is a list of some of them:
Cetirizine – Cetirizin Hexal or Cetirizin-ratiopharm;
Loratadine – Lorano or Loratadin-ratiopharm;
Desloratadine – Aerius;
Fexofenadine – Telfast or Fexofenadin-ratiopharm;
Levocetirizine – Xusal or Levocetirizin-ratiopharm;
Azelastin – Allergodil or Azelastin-ratiopharm;
Clemastine – Tavegil;
Ebastine – Kestine;
Chloropyramine – Chloropyramin-ratiopharm;
Diphenhydramine – Benadryl or Diphenhydramin-ratiopharm.
Nasal drops and cold medicines
For colds or to facilitate nasal breathing, there are also suitable analogues:
Xylometazoline – Nasenspray-ratiopharm or Otriven;
Oxymetazoline – Nasenspray-ratiopharm or Olynth;
Nafazoline – Nasivin or Privin;
Azelastin – Allergodil or Azelastin-ratiopharm;
Dexpanthenol – Bepanthen Meerwasser Nasenspray or NasenSpray-ratiopharm Panthenol.
You can also find medicines such as Ambraxol or Abschwellendes Nasenspray to relieve cold symptoms.
If you have a sore throat, you can buy the following in pharmacies in Germany:
Lemocin;
Neoangin;
Neoanginetten;
Tantum Verde or Hexoral throat spray.
Sedatives
With regard to sedatives, the situation is complicated by the fact that some of them, such as Bifren with the active ingredient Phenibutum, are not sold in Germany due to safety concerns, in particular the risk of addiction. However, there are other sedatives that can be found in German pharmacies.
Sedatives:
Diazepam – Valium or Diazepam-ratiopharm;
Lorazepam – Tavor or Lorazepam-ratiopharm;
Xanax – Xanax or Alprazolam-ratiopharm;
Bromazepam – Lexotanil or Bromazepam-ratiopharm;
Phenobarbital – Gardenal or Phenobarbital-ratiopharm.
Medicines for the gastrointestinal tract
Medicines for gastrointestinal problems are also widely available on the German market:
Rennie;
Gaviscon;
Maaloxan;
Burlich Salz;
Omeprazole – Omeprazol-ratiopharm or Omeprazol Hexal;
Ranitidine – Ranitic or Ranitidin-ratiopharm;
Pantoprazole – Pantoprazol-ratiopharm or Pantoprazol-Actavis;
Esomeprazole – Nexium or Esomeprazol-ratiopharm;
Domperidone – Motilium or Domperidon-ratiopharm;
Metoclopramide – MCP-ratiopharm or Metoclopramid Hexal;
Simethicone – Sab Simplex or Lefax;
Lactulose – Lactulose-ratiopharm or Duphalac;
Mebeverin, Duspatalin – Duspatalin or Mebeverin-ratiopharm;
Bisacodyl – Dulcolax or Bisacodyl-ratiopharm.
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines in Germany
Many medicines are available without a prescription in Germany, including painkillers, antihistamines and stomach ailments. However, stronger medicines such as antibiotics or hormones are only available with a prescription. Prescriptions in Germany are divided into several types: red, green, blue, and yellow, each with its own characteristics.
How to get a prescription in Germany
You can get a prescription in Germany only after consulting a doctor who will assess the need for a particular drug. Health insurance also plays an important role in ensuring access to medicines, as it covers most of the costs of prescription drugs.
Insurance in Germany
Citizens of Ukraine living in Germany must take out health insurance to cover medical services, including access to medicines. This is important not only for Germany, but also for all European countries, where access to medical care may be limited without insurance.
Given all these aspects, it is important to prepare for life in a new country in advance and to be aware of the specifics of the medical system and medicines available in Germany.