I wonder if anyone else has felt the same way recently, but it seems like buying medicine in Spain is getting harder. Before, I could just take a doctor’s prescription to a pharmacy and get what I needed right away. But in the last few months, I’ve been to several pharmacies only to be told they’re out of stock, especially for common medications.
Take last month, for example. My child had a bacterial infection, and the doctor prescribed a pediatric suspension of Amoxicillin. I took the receta (prescription) to three nearby pharmacies, but they all said it was out of stock throughout Spain and told me to check back in a few days. I was so worried, as my child still had a fever. In the end, a pharmacist I know helped me by calling many places, and I finally found the last box in a small pharmacy on the other side of the city. The whole experience was truly exhausting.
Later, I talked with the pharmacist and looked up some news online, only to find out that the medicine shortage in Spain is quite serious. It’s not just antibiotics; even common painkillers, cardiovascular drugs, and children’s fever reducers are frequently out of stock. I’ve heard it’s a combination of issues, including supply chain problems, rising raw material costs, and certain policies related to [Spanish medical supplies]. It feels like this problem might not be fully resolved anytime soon.
I’ve put together a list of a few medicines that are frequently reported to be out of stock, just as a heads-up for everyone. This issue is part of a larger problem, which even includes incidents like the [theft of medical supplies]. Of course, this list isn’t definitive; it’s based on my personal experience and that of my friends. The actual situation depends on the inventory of pharmacies in each area.
| Generic Name | Common Brand Examples | Main Use |
|---|
| Amoxicilina | Clamoxyl, Augmentine | Bacterial infections |
| Ibuprofeno | Espidifen, Neobrufen | Pain relief, anti-inflammatory |
| Paracetamol | Efferalgan, Gelocatil | Fever reduction, pain relief |
| Ozempic | Ozempic | Diabetes treatment |
So, what can we do now? In my experience, if a doctor prescribes medication, it’s best to go buy it immediately—don’t delay. If a pharmacy doesn’t have it due to the current [medicine shortages in Spain], don’t get discouraged. Ask around at several others, especially the smaller, less conspicuous neighborhood pharmacies; you might get lucky. Also, you can ask the pharmacist to check the system’s inventory; they can see which nearby pharmacies have it in stock. If you really can’t find it, you should contact your doctor right away to see if they can switch you to an alternative medication with a similar active ingredient that is available. I hope everyone stays healthy and doesn’t need these medicines! Feel free to share your own experiences and tips.
