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Getting Glivec whilst living abroad

Hi!
My partner and I are planning on going to France in our sailing boat at the beginning of May and may be staying there for a year - after that we may go on down to Spain or Portugal. It all depends on the availability of Glivec whilst living abroad. My specialist is happy to give me six months' supply but I am not sure what happens after that. We are not emigrating and do plan on coming back to the UK at some point and will be visiting every 3 months or so. I can't afford to pay for Glivec as it is so expensive, so what is the position re getting it free from the Health Authorities in the EU or do I have to get it from the UK? All very complicated! If I can't get it abroad then we will have to give up on our travelling. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Louise

You may have to fly home every 3 months or so. Plenty of people do this in order to stay entitled to NHS treatment.

Its not at all clear cut that Glivec or other drugs will definitely be available to you everywhere in the EU, until you are an OAP.

I would get it in writing from the people who issue the EHIC cards ( Washington, Tyne and Wear I think), of the current situation.

Thanks, Bee, for that.  We were planning on coming back every three months or so but I wasn't sure whether or not I would still be able to be supplied with Glivec on the NHS.  If ,many people do that I guess it's okay.  I have a mailing address in the UK where the Glivec can be signed for and kept until we collect it and the suppliers have said this would be okay.  They are happy to supply six months' worth if you are going on holiday but I don't think they will continually be able to do this, so they may just top me up every three months.  I only see my specialist every six months at the moment as I am doing so well on the Glivec - long may it continue!  Regards, Louise

Sorry, Louise - I didn't mean that people routinely come back to UK to get Glivec - perhaps some do, but I don't know of any.

I was just referring to general health pills and potions......

Ted's Glivec has to be ordered in by the local pharmacy after each 3 month hospital visit & then takes a few days to arrive there.

When you say your suppliers - do you mean a pharmacy?

Dear Bee,

My query was just about getting Glivec not other pills and potions.  My Glivec is delivered by a company who are sent the prescription from the hospital Ihave my blood tests at.  My specialist is happy to do a six month prescription but we are not clear what the rules are if you are away longer and come back for visits to the UK every 3 months or so.  The NHS website isn't quite clear on this.  I was told by the EHIC people that the card was valid for 3-5 years and entitled you to NHS care when you come back to the UK unless you are actually emigrating.  I have a house in the UK which I let out at the moment and have always paid taxes and NI contributions.

Regards,

 

Louise

I would go with the EHIC reply and if you can get a 6 months supply - then go for it!

So long as you keep an address in the UK - there shouldn't be a problem. That's how most do it.

The problem for expats is usually that the health authorities in certain areas (Spain) for example, have clamped down on early retirees receiving pills and potions and they've had to buy them privately. That's what I was concerned about.

Well done with the CML and good luck with your trip!

Thanks, Bee.

Louise