Calm head required, My first thought was that I should get to a pharmacy and simply buy the drug, I doubt that's possible in Germany - they tend to be quite strict about these kinds of things, but lets see how that goes.
I started to google the cost of the drug in question using my phone in the taxi, expecting that I might be getting hit for 40-50 Euros.
Shat myself... Immediately started thinking about whether I should just run the risk of going without.
Interesting topic that - can you afford to go without life saving medication, food, water, shelter???? Indeed, why do progressive governments think that medication should be available to all as a matter of priority?
Anyway, there was the worst case scenario, maybe up to 500 Euros as a reminder not to be a twat, or possibly just die and avoid any embarrassment...
At 17:40 I presented myself at an Apotheke to explain in my very unreliable German the situation I was in. Massively in my favour was the fact that the drug comes with a wallet card explaining your status and dosage, however it's still a prescription drug in Germany - in the UK, for some drugs it is possible that a pharmacist can offer a short term fix in emergency situations. Through some limited conversation with the Phamarcist, I learned that it was exactly as the case in the UK, this was a prescription only drug, but no emergency procedures available to me. She kindly directed me to the nearest Medical practice, thankfully on other side of the road, where after some form filling and presentation of my EHIC (thankfully having taken time to put my 'Patient Alert card' in my wallet, I also remembered to pack my European Health Insurance Card) I was invited to sit in the waiting room. A few more laughs with the receptionist and I found myself meeting Dr. Maas who very quickly produced a prescription - No Charge!
Rushed down to the Pharmacy at 18:20, with it closing at 18:30. Presented the script only to be told it wasn't in stock. So I raced down the street to the next pharmacy where I was also informed they would need to order the drug. "Shit!" thinks I, this place closes at 18:30 and I need to be in a workshop a long way from here at 08:30 tomorrow morning. But, lo, I've misunderstood, I just need to come back around 21:00 when the drug will have been delivered and the pharmacy will open for me if I have the correct papers - how do I get these I wonder? - she prints them for me - how much does it cost? - 5 Euros please - For the papers? - Just for the drugs. - How much for the emergency Service? - What? - the emergency Service, how much? - we don't charge if you need medicine... - of course...
If I was English, I'd be asking my MPs what the fuck they think they're playing at?
