The pharmacy and the drugstore in the Netherlands

A pharmacy (apotheek) is a place where a qualified pharmacist dispenses prescribed medicines and answers your questions about doses, side effects and interactions, and keeps your medication record.

• A drugstore (drogist) sells simple products without prescription such as small packs of paracetamol tablets, skin creams, mild cold remedies, care products and vitamins.
• Some painkillers in large quantities are sold only in the pharmacy.
• Supermarkets sell simple painkillers in limited quantities.
• Choose a nearby pharmacy and always use it so that your record is complete, and the pharmacist avoids dangerous interactions between your various medicines.

When the doctor prescribes a medicine he sends the prescription electronically to your preferred pharmacy, so tell him which pharmacy you want.

• You go to the pharmacy with your ID and BSN, and the pharmacist checks the prescription and hands you the medicine with the information leaflet.
• The medicine may be unavailable and is ordered and arrives the next day, and some pharmacies offer home delivery.
• Always check the dose, duration and whether it is taken with food.
• If you have an allergy tell the pharmacist.
• You can request a repeat of chronic medicines (herhaalrecept) through the site or app without visiting the doctor according to instructions.

The basic package covers medicines listed in the approved medicines list (GVS), and their cost is deducted from the annual deductible until it is used up, then the insurer bears the rest.

• Some medicines are not covered, or you pay an additional contribution (eigen bijdrage) if you choose the brand rather than the generic.
• Pharmacies often use cheaper generic medicines with the same effect.
• Over-the-counter medicines from a drugstore are paid entirely from your pocket and are usually not covered.
• Children's medicines are free in some cases.
• Ask the pharmacist about the medicine's price before buying, and check your bill on the insurer's site.

For headache and fever paracetamol is used, for joint pain and inflammation ibuprofen with caution in stomach problems, for seasonal allergy antihistamines, for cough special medicines, and for heartburn antacids.

• Do not exceed the written dose or the recommended duration, and if symptoms last more than a few days see the doctor.
• Avoid antibiotics without prescription, since they are not sold without a doctor in the Netherlands, and wrong use causes bacterial resistance.
• Ask the pharmacist before combining medicines or with herbs, and when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

When the pharmacy is closed at night or on weekends there is an on-duty pharmacy (dienstapotheek) whose details are on the pharmacy door or its website, and the out-of-hours GP centre usually directs you to it. If you travel carry your medicines in their original packaging with a prescription or letter from the doctor, since some medicines are banned in other countries.

• If you buy online beware of unlicensed sites selling counterfeit medicines, and check for the licensed shop logo (Erkend Internetapotheek) and that the company is Dutch.
• Do not share prescribed medicines with others, since they may harm them.
• And return old medicines to the pharmacy instead of throwing them in the bin.

Where are prescribed medicines dispensed?