Pharmacy system

When do you go to the pharmacy or apotheek?

When your doctor prescribes medication you will receive a recept (prescription) to take with you. With this prescription you can receive the medication from your local pharmacy or apotheek.

Non-prescription drugs

Some medicines don’t require a prescription and these are also available at the apotheek, or pharmacy. The pharmacist there is also available to provide advice about medicines and their uses.

Opening hours

Generally speaking, Monday through Friday from 8.30 hrs till 18.00 hrs. Some pharmacies are also open on Saturdays. If you need medication outside of opening hours, you can go to a dienstapotheek, or 24-hour pharmacy. They’re meant for only prescription medication and/or refills.

You can find a list of every 24-hour pharmacy in your neighbourhood pharmacy, in the local newspapers or by phoning (070) 345 10 00. If the dienstapotheek near you is closed, you’ll see a notice of the nearest open pharmacy. In an emergency, you can have your prescription filled at one of the two after-hours pharmacies.

Medicines

The medicines in the Netherlands are not always the same medicines prescribed in other countries. If you are taking medication prescribed to you in another country, it is best to show these to your doctor and/or pharmacist.

Always use the same pharmacist

You can choose which pharmacy you want to use. You’ll find telephone numbers and addresses in the telephone book and yellow pages or on the website www.apotheek.nl (Go to Zoek een apotheek). It’s best to always use the same pharmacist, as they’ll know what medicines you’re currently taking and can advise on combinations and interactions.

Payment

Your health insurance, or zorgverzekering, will cover the costs of most medicines. Always show your insurance card with your prescription. If you are insured in your home country, the Dutch pharmacist will in most instances ask for cash payment. You can then submit the bill to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Just like a doctor, the pharmacist also must abide by a confidentiality agreement with his customers. This means that the pharmacist will not report illegal aliens.

More information

Health Care: A free downloadable booklet written by ACCESS.