How to Get a Prescription in Turkey: A Comprehensive Guide for Expats

Moving to a new country can be daunting, especially when it comes to navigating the healthcare system. If you’re an expat living in Turkey and need to fill a prescription, fret not! This comprehensive guide will equip you with all the information you need to get the medications you require and ensure you receive the best possible care.

Turkish Pharmacies: A Well-Stocked Haven

Finding the medication you need in Turkey shouldn’t be a problem. Turkish pharmacies are generally well-stocked, boasting a wide array of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. If a specific medication isn’t readily available, they can usually order it for you, including from international sources.

24/7 Access to Medications: No Worries After Hours

In larger Turkish cities, you’ll find 24-hour pharmacies readily available. However, even in smaller towns and villages, there’s no need to worry about access to medications after hours. A designated “duty pharmacist” (nöbetçi eczane) will be on call 24/7, ensuring your needs are met around the clock. Look for a sign outside your local pharmacy indicating the current nöbetçi eczane.

Turkish Pharmacy Practices: A Focus on Pills and Potential Over-prescription

Turkish pharmacies heavily rely on pills as the primary form of medication. It’s not uncommon for doctors to prescribe multiple medications during a single visit, even before a definitive diagnosis is made. This practice stems from the strong emphasis on pharmaceutical treatment in Turkish culture. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies sometimes offer incentives to doctors for pushing their medications, which can influence local doctors with lower salaries.

Being a Savvy Consumer: Ask for Generics and Compare Prices

While Turkish pharmacies offer a wide selection of medications, it’s important to be a discerning consumer. Don’t blindly accept every recommendation from your pharmacist. They might try to sell you the most expensive medication in stock. If you have insurance, you’ll likely only pay around 20% of the cost, but those expenses can add up quickly if you’re filling multiple prescriptions. Always inquire about generic options that can serve the same purpose as the brand-name medication.

Regulation and Oversight: Ensuring Quality and Safety

Both prescription and over-the-counter medications are strictly regulated in Turkey. You can be sure you’re getting the best care and service when you see a local doctor and fill your prescription at a pharmacy that is licensed. Additionally, by ensuring that all of your prescribed medications function well together, this regulation guards against any potentially harmful interactions.

Turkish Authorities: Guardians of Drug Safety and Distribution

The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Turkey is an essential agency that oversees the approval, distribution, sale, and use of all pharmaceuticals in the nation. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medications. As per the Public Health Law No. Enacted in the 1930s, Public Health Law No. 1593 assigns the MOH the responsibility of “monitoring and auditing all pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and all dangerous, narcotic, and toxic substances, except those serums and vaccines specifically used on animals.” “.

The Turkish Drug Tracking System: Keeping Tabs on Every Medication

The Turkish Drug Tracking System, or İlaç Takip Sistemi, is also under the management of the MOH. Every medicine container is carefully registered by this system, which also gives it a distinct bar code for identification. Only approved pharmacies are permitted to accept medications that are officially barcoded and registered with the İTS. This system protects against counterfeit drugs and guarantees that patients receive the right medication by guaranteeing the authenticity and traceability of pharmaceuticals.

The Turkish Chamber of Pharmacists: A Collective Voice for Pharmacy Professionals

In addition to the MOH, the Turkish Chamber of Pharmacists plays a vital role in the pharmacy landscape. This organization represents all pharmacists in Turkey, serving as a collective voice for the profession. Similar to the U.S. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the Turkish Chamber of Pharmacists acts as a regulatory body for pharmacists and a professional guild. While it doesn’t have federal regulatory authority, the Chamber plays a crucial role in licensure and permitting, providing limited regulation and oversight for the pharmacy profession.

Hands-on Pharmacy Practices: A Tradition of Personal Attention

Unlike pharmacies in the European Union and the United States, which often rely on automation, Turkish pharmacies still maintain a tradition of hands-on dispensing and preparation. Most medications are mixed and filled by hand, ensuring personalized attention and care.

The Online Pharmacy Conundrum: A Legal Gray Area

While Turkey embraces technological advancements, online pharmacies haven’t yet gained a foothold in the country. The Turkish Chamber of Pharmacists frequently raises concerns about the potential risks to public health posed by web-based pharmacies. Currently, the sale of pharmaceutical or medicinal products online is prohibited in Turkey. This includes everything from regular prescriptions to dietary supplements, homeopathic treatments, steroids, and baby formula.

Importing Medications: A Complex Process with Restrictions

Residents of Turkey cannot order drugs or supplements from websites operating outside the country and shipping products directly to consumers. Similarly, individuals cannot personally import pharmaceuticals into Turkey. This strict regulation aims to safeguard public health and prevent the circulation of counterfeit or unauthorized medications.

Physical Pharmacies: The Gatekeepers of Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications

All physical pharmacies in Turkey must be approved and licensed by the MOH before they can dispense prescription-only and over-the-counter medicines. They also require licensure to sell most medical devices and dietary supplements. This licensing process ensures that pharmacies meet the necessary standards for quality, safety, and professionalism.

Navigating the World of Prescription Medications: A Categorization System

The MOH categorizes medications into four distinct classes:

• Over-the-counter medicines: These medications are readily available without a prescription and can be purchased directly from pharmacies.
• Narcotic prescriptions (red prescriptions): These prescriptions include medications like fentanyl or morphine, which have a high potential for abuse. They must be written on red paper and are stringently tracked from prescriber to patient via the İTS.
• Psychotropic prescriptions (green prescriptions): These prescriptions include medications like ephedrine, phenobarbital, and codeine, which have a potential for dependence. They are written on green paper and similarly tracked from prescriber to patient via the İTS.
• Normal prescriptions (white prescriptions): These prescriptions include more common medications, such as dextromethorphan syrups (e.g., Theraflu and Vicks). They are written on white paper and are not as tightly regulated by the MOH. However, they are recorded by each pharmacy’s log, which includes patient information.

Over-the-Counter Availability of Prescription Medications: A Unique Aspect of Turkish Pharmacy

It’s important to note that some medications that require a prescription in other countries, such as Cialis or Viagra, are available over-the-counter in Turkey. They can be purchased directly without a prescription or record of the sale. This means that websites selling such drugs in Turkey are not selling illegal drugs. However, it’s still a violation to order from them, as online pharmacies are not currently regulated and licensed for the sale of any medicinal products, including those available without a prescription.

Limited Availability of Certain Treatments: A Note on Herbal Products and Dietary Supplements

While Turkey offers easy access to many medications, some treatments might be less readily available compared to other countries. For instance, herbal medicinal products must be approved and regulated by the MOH before they can be sold. Similarly, dietary supplements are heavily regulated, and they cannot be sold if they make claims to diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate their users. This regulation aims to ensure the safety and efficacy of these products and prevent misleading claims.

The Turkish pharmacy system offers a well-regulated environment with a strong emphasis on personalized attention. While online pharmacies are not yet permitted, you can rest assured that physical pharmacies in Turkey are held to high standards and provide access to a wide range of medications. Remember to be a discerning consumer, ask about generic options, and compare prices to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.

Additional Resources:

• Reddit Discussion on Pharmacies in Turkey: https://www.reddit.com/r/Antalya/comments/11yklr0/whats_up_with_pharmacies_in_turkey/
• Expat Focus Article on Prescriptions in Turkey: https://www.expatfocus.com/turkey/articles/prescriptions-in-turkey-what-is-available-and-how-to-ensure-you-get-the-right-level-of-care

Disclaimer: This information is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.