Pharmacies on Call and If You Get the Flu

The first thing to notice is that in Spain, 

the Pharmacy is called a Farmacia 

and will display a BIG GREEN CROSS.

In Spain there is a term you will want to learn.

It is Farmacia de Guardia 

and it means 

Pharmacy on call.

This is regulated by the local Pharmacy authorities 

and what it means is this. 

There will ALWAYS be a Pharmacy 

open in every area. 

Some will be open until midnight.

Some will be open 24 hours, 

especially in larger cities.

When I say "in every area" 

bear in mind you are walking 

what would be considered short distances

 if you were in an automobile, 

so for instance, 

you may have to taxi ahead an entire stage 

to find an open Farmacia. 

But if it is an emergency, 

you will find one open 'in the area."

Pharmacists in Spain 

are allowed to prescribe many medications 

that would require a doctor's prescription in the USA.  

This means you can walk into any Farmacia, 

tell them or show them your problem, 

and they will prescribe what you need, 

whether it is for the flu, a cold, bedbug bites,

 or an injury.

On one of our first Caminos, 

Joe had a 2d degree burn on his leg. 

We walked into a Farmacia. 

The pharmacist sat him in a chair, 

washed the wound and dressed it, 

and gave him a tube of antibiotics. 

The cost was €6.

With so many pilgrims on the Camino these days,

you may not get that personalized treatment,

but you will find help.

If you have prescription medication that you require,

 please be sure to take 

the GENERIC name for the prescription 

in case you lose it or run out. 

Even better would be a written prescription 

from your doctor.  

You should not have any problems 

filling a prescription 

with one of these, 

unless it is for an opiate, 

in which case there will be a doctor 

in almost every larger town 

who can help you.

Fluimucil Complex

In case you get a cold or flu, 

let me tell you about a miracle drug
NOTE:  This works for ME.
You must be sure it does not conflict 

with any medications
you are already taking so be sure
to let the pharmacist know.

I always carry in my pack while in Spain.

 In fact, it works so good

 I bring boxes of it back with me each year

 because it is not available in the USA.  

It is called Fluimucil Complex.  

Here is a photo. 

FLUIMUCIL COMPLEX

The one above is a newer package 

and even though the "use before" date 

is 6/2018 on the lower one, 

I still use them and they work great.

This is a fizzy tablet. 

Drop it into water and let it dissolve, 

then drink.

I usually just use about 1/4 cup of water.

This magic combination of Paracetamol 

and Acetylcysteine 

allows me to keep walking the Camino 

if I get a cold or flu. 

It is the BEST thing since apple pie, in my opinion.    

It clears my sinuses, clears my head, 

and clears my lungs without making me sleepy. 

The first thing I do each Camino in Pamplona 

is pick up a box of this, "just in case."  

I never walk without it. 

It's that good.

Keep this photo on your phone 

and show it to the pharmacist

and insist on this particular one,

 because there are other types that look like this, 

but don't do the job. 

This one below is ONLY for lungs.

It is helpful for me, 

as I tend to get congestion in the lungs 

when I get a cold or flu. 

It is a powder. 

I pour it into 1/4 cup of warm water, 

stir, and drink it down. 

It will loosen phlegm and help me cough up the crud.

FLUMIL 200 mg

Do not let them sell you any other type 

of Fluimucil or Flumil.

There is another effervescent tablet 

called Fluimucil Forte.

It doesn't work for me.

Here is a photo of it.

There is also a liquid, that for me, does not work.

In the Farmacia, 

you can also buy Compeed 

and other blister helps,

Volteron, which is a non-steroidal 

anti-inflammatory cream,

helpful for sore muscles

and unavailable in the USA without prescription,

Alcohol Romero,

which is Alchol with Rosemary in it,

and wonderful for massaging sore legs and muscles.

You can find shoe inserts,

elastic bandages and compression socks,

a Spanish KT tape,

shampoos and body washes,

awesome organic makeups,

and a host of other products.

It's really worth a visit,

especially in the larger cities.

But I caution you not to weigh down

your pack until you arrive in Santiago,

where you will find plenty of Farmacias

and other shops

full of wonderful products

to take back home. 

Again, I suggest you copy the photo 

of Fluimucil Complex

onto your phone

just in case.

It could save your Camino.

I hope you don't need it!

I hope you stay healthy 

and have no problems at all.

But this info might be helpful.

Buen Camino!

Annie

***

NOTE:  I am not suggesting you take any drugs at all.

I'm simply telling you what works for me

You must do your own research

and be sure the meds you pick up in Spain

do not conflict with any you may be taking.

If you would like to walk with a small group,

consider Anniewalkers.

Our next available trip will be Holy Year 2022.

More information at 

www.anniewalkers.com