DUTCH PHARMACIES & PRESCRIPTIONS (2024)

Here is a brief overview of Dutch pharmacies (apotheeken), chemists (apothekers) and prescriptions (recepten) for expats in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is similar to other countries in the way drugs are distributed to the public. Those deemed to be ‘controlled substances’ can only be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist (apotheker) when presented with a valid prescription (recept) authorized by a medical professional.

KNMP

The Koninklijke Nederlandse Maatschaappij ter bevordering der Pharmacie (KNMP) is the Royal Netherlands Pharmacists Association. It was founded in 1842 and provides its members with a range of information and training, sets out pharmacy professional practice standards, supports the prescription, dispensing, purchasing and reimbursem*nt of controlled drugs through the Dutch Drug Database.

The KNMP also operates the Apotheek.nl website which has an index of all medicines in the Netherlands with an overview of what they treat, whether they require a prescription, branded and generic versions, standard dosage and any known side effects.

LSP

Landelijk Schakelpunt (LSP) is the National Exchange Point by which doctors and pharmacists can access information about a patient’s medical history in the Netherlands. The LSP is not a database but rather an operating program that allows participating medical practices, hospitals and pharmacists to access patient records in each other’s databases. The patient must give consent before their record can be accessed. If permission is granted, the doctor/pharmacist registers the patient’s BSN number in the LSP system.

The LSP helps a patient’s doctor better treat a medical condition by understanding the patient’s past medical history and adds a layer of security by allowing a pharmacist to see if the patient was previously given the prescribed medication and if they suffered an adverse reaction. If so, they can dispense an alternative medicine.

LAREB

Lareb is the Dutch Pharmacovigilence Center. It maintains a current record of known adverse reactions to medications available in the Netherlands. This includes vaccinations as well.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

There is no out-of-pocket cost for the majority of drugs prescribed by doctors in the Netherlands as it is covered by the Dutch ‘Basic’ health insurance policy, which by law every resident in the country is required to have.

For medicines not fully covered by the basic health insurance plan, a co-payment is required. An example would be if a prescription calls for a branded drug that is available in generic form at a lower price. The patient would then have to pay the difference in price between the two.

The patient presents their Dutch health insurance card when picking up the prescription.

Some Dutch pharmacies now have dispensing lockers located on the outside wall. This allows the customer to pick up their prescription outside of normal hours. The patient is notified of the locker number and provided with a QRS code to scan to unlock it.

The Dutch government establishes the maximum prices that can be charged for categories of medication.

TRAVELING WITH MEDICATION

When traveling from the Netherlands to another EU country, either for business or on holiday, it is important to bring any required prescription medication with you. It is also important to know whether the drug requires a special authorization letter from your pharmacists to carry it with you. This includes sleeping pills, strong painkillers and ADHD medicine. It is illegal to cross borders with such drugs without the required pharmacist authorization document.

For travel regulations on prescription drugs when traveling outside the EU, consult the local Embassy of the destination country.

Pharmacies can also provide a ‘Medicijnpaspoort’ (a printout of the client’s prescription medicine history) which can be useful to have when traveling outside the Netherlands.

FOREIGN PRESCRIPTIONS

A prescription issued to a patient by a medical professional in another European Union country is valid in the Netherlands and can be filled at a Dutch pharmacy (apotheek). However, if the prescribed medicine is branded and the branded version is not available in the Netherlands, the generic version of the medicine will be substituted. More information.

A prescription issued to a patient by a doctor outside the European Union is not valid in the Netherlands. If the patient is visiting Holland and runs out of their prescription medicine, they should make an appointment for evaluation with a Dutch doctor (huisarts). If the situation is critical, the patient should go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital (ziekenhuis). A doctor there can evaluate the patient to determine if having the medicine is urgent. If they decide it is, a prescription will be issued.

Travelers from the United States should be aware that many over-the-counter drugs available in the U.S. are only available by prescription in the Netherlands. For example, there are asthma inhalers available without a prescription.

AFTER-HOURS PHARMACIES IN THE NETHERLANDS

Dutch pharmacies are generally open during business hours (Monday-Friday 08:30-18:00). In large cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, some pharmacies have extended hours, closing at 21:00 or 22:00.

All major Dutch cities have at least one pharmacy (usually located inside a hospital) which offers service 7 days a week, 24 hours a day…

Related information…

HOSPITALS IN THE NETHERLANDS