Hey everyone, I’m new to the forum and see everyone chatting about all sorts of daily life topics, so I thought I’d join in. I wonder if anyone else has had the same feeling when visiting a farmacia lately—that it’s so much easier to buy things now! Thinking back to two years ago, it was hard to find even hand sanitizer, let alone masks. It feels like a different world.
Masks and Antigen Tests: From “Luxury Items” to Everyday Essentials
Nowadays, you can walk into any pharmacy and find stacks of various masks and antigen test kits right at the entrance. The prices have also dropped repeatedly. FFP2 masks have gone from four or five euros each at the beginning to now often being available for one or two euros, or even less. It’s a similar story with antigen tests; they’ve gone from being scarce items to being well-stocked in pharmacies, with the government stepping in multiple times to cap their maximum price. This is a real and tangible benefit for us.
Availability of Common Medicines
Beyond these anti-pandemic supplies, a key part of Spanish healthcare, many are likely most concerned about everyday medicines, which have their own place in the history of Spanish healthcare. For a while, even common cold medicines and painkillers were scarce. For example, it was hard to find high-dose versions of familiar drugs like Ibuprofeno or Paracetamol, requiring visits to multiple pharmacies. Based on my recent observations, though, this situation has greatly improved. Below is a summary of what I’ve seen regarding the price and availability of some common over-the-counter drugs, for your reference. Keep in mind that details on Spanish medical supplies can vary by region and pharmacy.
| Drug Type | Common Brands | Availability | Approx. Price |
|---|
| Painkiller/Fever Reducer | Paracetamol, Ibuprofeno | Generally available | 4-7 euros/box |
| Cold/Flu | Frenadol, Gelocatil Gripe | Stable supply | 8-12 euros/box |
| Cough/Expectorant | Mucosan, Bisolvon | Generally available | 7-10 euros/bottle |
| Antihistamine | Loratadina, Cetirizina | Stable supply | 5-9 euros/box |
A Few Personal Tips
After being put to the test, Spain’s medical supply production and supply chains have recovered well. Most daily necessities are easy to find, and prices have returned to a reasonable level. However, I still make it a habit to keep a small first-aid kit at home with some basic medicines, band-aids, antiseptic, etc., just in case. After all, no one can guarantee that another special situation won’t occur, though I hope it never happens. I’m curious, what’s everyone’s ‘stockpile’ at home looking like these days? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences!
