Some Things From The Pharmacy

**Please note - I am not a nurse, doctor or pharmacist or any other kind of medical adviser.**

I thought I would show you some things from the pharmacy (over the counter aka no prescription required) that we have in our home - so you can see what is available in Finland.

Bepanthen - the equivalent of Polysporin! Good for cuts, mild burns, dry skin, eczema - very handy to have!

Canker-sore gel - good for little ones too (double-check with your pharmacist to see how old a child has to be before administering this!).

Ibuprofen

Pain-relief for little ones.  1 tablet mixed with a tablespoon of warm water until dissolved and feed with a spoon or syringe.  I find this stuff works faster than the liquid Panadol.

Liquid Panadol (more pain relief for little ones and for fevers too - over the age of 3 months and based on weight).  The one on the left is the old label and the one on the right is the newest design - no difference otherwise.

Breast feeding and want contraceptives?  Your doctor will give you the 1st three-months for free.  These are called Cerazette contraceptives or "mini-pills" by some people.  After that, you do need a prescription and have to pay. (Applies to most who have the Kela card and is covered by Finland's health benefits).

It's November! That means lots of clouds and no sunshine....here's some Vitamin-D3 drops for babies - there are also tablets for those that have teeth!  (It's also strongly recommended adults take Vitamin-D too!)

Aspirin....

Nose Frida is a snot-sucker for babies and kids - since they're not capable of blowing their nose at such a young age.

Don't worry - you won't get any snot in your mouth...that's what the blue sponge piece is for!

If I happen to need more things from the pharmacy - I'll try and remember to take a photo for you!

**Always ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any questions on how to use the above medications!!  Never leave medication un-attended and within a child's reach!**

Prescription is FILLED!

Something I've never posted or discussed here before was getting a prescription filled.

My inhaler was running quite low - so I asked the nurse when I last visited if I could have a refill by her.  Not all nurses are able to sign for a prescription - she being one of them.  So she advised me when the doctor was in and told me when to come in to swing by and get my prescription.

And this is what it looks like:

I blocked off my full name and security ID# for privacy purposes - but at least this way, you can see what a prescription here looks like!

When you bring this paper in (don't forget your Kela card!) to the pharmacy, they'll stamp the date, initial it and add a sticker label from your prescription onto this prescription.

Don't throw this prescription out!  Keep it if you have more than 1 prescription listed - or refills available to you! (If you can see it - I have a total of 3 inhalers available to me - 2 are refills).  That, and if you need a doctor to fill your prescription again, it's easier and faster for them to fill one out if you have proof that you've had this issued to you before hand.

A typical prescription filled by my doctor looks like a piece of stationary (a longer form of a Post-It note almost) with the doctor's office on the top, my doctor's messy writing (aren't all doctors messy writers?) and her stamp.

Finland clearly thought of the doctors messy penmanship and this is a nicer and easier form to use and read!

** On the off chance you forgot your Kela (benefits card) at home while at the pharmacy, ask the pharmacist for a Kela form - and submit your receipt and prescription copy (along with the filled out form) to Kela - and they'll credit your bank account that way.  I've done it once and it didn't take very long at all!**