Czechs buy cheap medicines in Egypt: They even hide them in their laundry

“Could someone buy me sleeping pills in Egypt, I’ll pay in advance” writes a woman on a discussion forum. “I can, I have an extra package, I also took it to someone, but he didn’t hear from me anymore,” another traveler answers her.

Another one offers on the Internet medicines left over after a vacation and return from Egypt. “I’ve got some anti-diarrhea, vomiting, and cramping medicine here,” another woman offers. “Buying second-hand medicines is more of a desperation. Medicines are only bought at the pharmacy,” another debater glosses the drug offer.

Vacationers in Egypt, in addition to medicines for Pharaoh’s revenge, are also looking for blood pressure pills or medicines for flu and colds. Some of them even transport them back to the Czech Republic rather cheaply. For example, if they contain pseudoephedrine. “I’ve got them in the laundry bag, but if I get busted for a check, it’s to hell.” one of the discussants thinks.

Blogger: Price and availability

The frequent and popular purchase of medicines in Egyptian pharmacies is also confirmed for Blesk.cz by blogger Lubomíra Mohamady, who got married in Hurghada and regularly informs Czech and Slovak vacationers about the attractions there.

“They also buy medicine for allergies, corticoids, contraception, antibiotics here. Most medicines are available here without a prescription, including antibiotics and contraception, and at a better price. I think the drugs here in the pharmacies are not dangerous, they are not fakes. They are often produced by the same companies, only Egypt is not in the European Union, so the price is lower.” explains Mrs. Lubka, according to which popular slimming products are also bought here.

The blogger sees the main bonus of shopping in Egyptian pharmacies in the price and availability. “If you use something regularly and you know you can get it here and it’s cheaper here and also more accessible, that’s definitely an advantage.” In the same breath, however, it also provides a second view. “Of course, it’s nonsense to buy medicines just like that if you don’t have them prescribed by a doctor, or simply to stock up,” he explains.

According to her, pharmacists in Egypt also function as doctors. “Especially with common diseases. People come in, describe their problem to the pharmacist, and he gives them what he thinks will help. However, the Egyptians do not stock up on medicine the way people here do. They don’t abuse them,” supplies.

Practitioners will not know

Blesk.cz approached doctor Ludmila Bezdíčková from the Association of General Practitioners about the issue of purchasing all kinds of medicines in Egyptian pharmacies. “I haven’t come across this before, and I think that if people were to bring medicine like this from abroad, they probably wouldn’t want to tell their doctor, in fact, practically any doctor.” explains MUDr. Bezdíčková.

According to her, it can happen that people bring the rest of their medicines from abroad, for example, because they are getting used to them, or because they bought them abroad due to various difficulties that began to trouble them there. However, there is one big BUT.

“Of course, if someone takes a medicine that he brought and prescribed himself, then no doctor is responsible for it, but the person who has to take into account possible risks after taking it. It’s practically the same as having your car repaired by someone other than a mechanic.” adds further.

According to her, what is the quality of the medicines in the pharmacies there? “I have no experience with the different quality of drugs, but if it is a drug that is approved and officially picked up at a pharmacy, for example, then the quality should of course be the same, because even the international companies that supply the drugs ensure the safety of the drugs as well in less developed countries,” means Bezdíčková.

But another thing, according to the doctor, is that there is a black market for medicines in almost all countries and there are also fakes of various medicines. “Therefore, there is a risk that a person can import a fake from somewhere,” concludes the doctor.

Pharmacists: A warning sign

PharmDr also spoke for Blesk.cz about the personal responsibility of each passenger. Veronika Orendášová from the Czech Chamber of Pharmacy. “When freely purchasing medicinal products from outside the EU, everyone must be aware that the rules, guarantees and control of the handling of medicines are at a different level than here, and that serious risks can also result from this,” warns the speaker.

According to her, one can especially worry about whether they are genuine medicinal products or whether the medicines have not been degraded, e.g. by improper storage. In extreme cases, the use of such drugs can also cause damage to health.

“We cannot evaluate the level of pharmaceutical care in Egypt, however, the mere fact that drugs that require a medical prescription in the Czech Republic are available without a prescription in another country should be a warning signal. We cannot recommend the purchase and use of such medicinal products.” concludes Orendášová.