First steps — work out exactly what's missing
Before anything else, get clarity on three things. The right course of action depends on the answers.
- What is the medication, exactly? Full name, dose, how often you take it. If you have a photograph of the box or a list on your phone, find it now.
- When is your next dose due? Some medications can be safely missed for a day or two. Others cannot.
- What is it for? Life-sustaining (insulin, anti-rejection drugs, seizure medication, anti-coagulants), supportive (blood-pressure tablets, thyroid replacement, antidepressants), or symptomatic (hay fever, mild pain, sleep).
If you do not know the name of your medication, log in to your GP's online services or NHS app from your phone — your active prescription list is usually one tap away. If you cannot get into that, call your GP surgery and ask reception to read out the prescription.
When this is an emergency
For some medications, missing a dose is not an inconvenience — it is a clinical risk. Go to Urgencias or call 112, not an online consultation, if any of the following apply.
- Insulin or other diabetes injectables — missing doses can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis within hours
- Anti-rejection medication after a transplant — every dose matters
- Seizure medication — particularly if you have had seizures recently
- Anti-coagulants (blood thinners) — missing doses raises serious risks for some patients
- Heart-failure medication, particularly if you are already short of breath or have swollen ankles
- Severe psychiatric medication where stopping abruptly is dangerous (lithium, clozapine, some others)
- Strong opioid pain medication taken regularly — stopping abruptly causes severe withdrawal
- You are already feeling unwell — symptoms that have started since you noticed the medication was missing
For any of these, the hospital is the right route. They can provide an emergency supply, contact your home pharmacy or GP for verification, and prevent the deterioration that comes from going without.
What a Spanish pharmacy can do without a prescription
Spanish pharmacists have more discretion than UK ones in a small number of situations. For some medications — particularly when you can show original packaging, a recent UK prescription, or a clear record from your GP app — a pharmacist may be willing to supply a short emergency quantity at their own discretion. This is not guaranteed and depends on the medication, the pharmacist, and the circumstances.
Some medications that are prescription-only in the UK are over the counter in Spain (some inhalers, some ointments, some basic medications). Walking into a farmacia and asking is always worth the ten minutes — even if they cannot help directly, they may know which nearby practice can.
This does not apply to controlled drugs, antibiotics, anti-coagulants, weight-loss medication, or anything else on the Spanish prescription-only list.
How to get a Spanish prescription the same day
Public route: Centro de Salud or Urgencias
With an EHIC, a UK GHIC, or a Spanish tarjeta sanitaria, any Centro de Salud will see you for a re-supply prescription. For time-critical medications, Urgencias is the right place.
Private in-person GP
A private GP appointment costs EUR 50 to 120 with same-day availability. Useful if you need an in-person discussion of multiple medications, or if you want assessment of a separate medical issue alongside the re-supply.
Online private consultation
For a re-supply of a common, in-scope medication where you have your full prescription history available, an online consultation can be the fastest route. Our doctor reviews your history, often confirms a clinical detail by phone or email, and if appropriate, issues a Spanish receta privada the same day.
What to have ready when you submit: the full name of the medication, the dose, how often you take it, the condition it is for, the name of your UK GP or specialist, and a photograph of the medication box or a recent prescription if you have it. The faster we can verify your history, the faster the consultation moves.
What we cannot help with
The Holiday Doctor scope is deliberately narrow. We do not provide re-supply for:
- Controlled drugs — strong opioid painkillers, ADHD medications, benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets, and others
- Weight-loss medication
- Anti-coagulants and medications requiring regular blood monitoring (warfarin, lithium, methotrexate, and others)
- Insulin starts and complex diabetes regimens
- Complex psychiatric medication regimens, particularly antipsychotics
- New conditions outside our published scope
- Anything that needs an in-person examination to assess safely
For any of these, the right route is a Centro de Salud, Urgencias, or a private GP in person. The Holiday Doctor consultation form will tell you immediately, at no charge, if your situation is outside our scope.
Practical advice and travel insurance
- Most travel insurance policies cover the cost of replacing lost medication abroad. Keep receipts and any documentation from the consultation. Submit a claim when you get home.
- Ask your hotel or accommodation — sometimes lost items get handed in within a few hours.
- If your luggage is delayed, the airline is responsible for essential purchases including medication. Keep all receipts and file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport before leaving.
- Photograph all your medications before any future trip, including the label and the strip. It makes the next time much faster.
- Keep a written list of medications, doses, and your GP's name in your phone notes, separate from your wallet.
- For longer trips, ask your GP for a supply note in advance, particularly if you take a controlled or unusual medication.
Important. The Holiday Doctor does not assess or re-supply controlled drugs, anti-coagulants, weight-loss medication, complex psychiatric regimens, or any of the situations listed above. For any time-critical medication, go to Urgencias or call 112.