Key Takeaways
Accessing medicine in the Netherlands
A Dutch online pharmacy explains that it can supply brand-name medicines, but only when the customer presents a valid prescription issued by a doctor or specialist in the Netherlands.
Limits on foreign prescriptions and delivery
Prescriptions written outside the European Union, including those from Mexico, are not accepted. For opiate medicines, delivery is restricted strictly to addresses within the Netherlands; sending these medicines abroad is not allowed.
Simple process, local medical gatekeepers
There are no extra administrative steps beyond obtaining a prescription from a Dutch doctor. The pharmacy does not recommend individual doctors and instead encourages people to contact a general practitioner or specialist in their own town or city.
Uncertain costs, clearer prices after the prescription
The cost of a medical consultation varies from doctor to doctor. The price of the medicine itself depends on the prescription, the brand, and the dosage, so the pharmacy can only give precise price information once it has seen the prescription.
Insurance that helps, but reimbursement is the customer’s task
Health insurers usually cover at least part of the cost of prescribed medicines. The pharmacy, however, does not submit claims directly to insurers, so the customer pays the pharmacy up front and then submits the invoice to their insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Story & Details
An online pharmacy’s position
A Dutch online pharmacy specialising in prescription medicines and health products describes itself as a fully licensed pharmacy that operates digitally and serves patients across the country. Customers can register, upload prescriptions and arrange home delivery, much as they would order goods from any other online shop, with the important difference that prescription medicines are tightly regulated and only dispensed with proper documentation.
Why a Dutch prescription matters
Brand-name medicines are available, but only when backed by a prescription from a Dutch doctor or specialist. Prescription-only medicines must be dispensed by a pharmacy, and the general practitioner remains the central gatekeeper who determines what treatment is appropriate.
Prescriptions issued outside the European Union are not accepted. A person who arrives with documentation from another country must consult a local doctor in the Netherlands, discuss their treatment, and, if the doctor agrees, obtain a new prescription under Dutch rules.
Opiate medicines and strict delivery rules
The pharmacy is explicit about opiate medicines. These are controlled substances with tight restrictions. They may only be delivered within the Netherlands and cannot be shipped abroad under any circumstance. Regulations aim to prevent misuse and ensure safe handling, and they limit how these medicines can cross borders.
Foreign prescriptions and online orders under scrutiny
Across Europe, regulators warn against filling prescriptions that originate outside official frameworks. Concerns include remote prescribing, online questionnaires, and inadequate verification. Pharmacies are urged to ensure that prescriptions are authentic and to refuse dispensing when doubt exists. A requirement for a Dutch prescription reflects those safeguards.
How a patient is expected to proceed
The pharmacy explains that the next steps are simple. A person should contact a local doctor, present their medical history, and request appropriate treatment. The pharmacy does not provide a list of recommended doctors and instead points to practitioners in the patient’s own town or city.
When the prescription is ready, the patient can submit it to the pharmacy. At that point, details such as brand availability, dosage, and pricing can be confirmed.
Unclear prices until the prescription is known
Consultation fees vary among doctors, and medicine prices depend on the exact product and dosage. The pharmacy can therefore provide precise prices only after reviewing the prescription. Different brands and levels of insurance reimbursement also affect the final cost.
Insurance coverage and the extra step for reimbursement
Insurers often cover part of the cost of prescribed medicines, but the pharmacy does not send claims directly. Patients pay first, receive an invoice, and then request reimbursement from their insurer if eligible.
Conclusions
A system built on local doctors and controlled dispensing
The Dutch model relies on medical professionals to assess need and authorise treatment. Online pharmacies add convenience but do not replace the judgment of local doctors.
Clear lines around opiates and cross-border use
Strict rules apply to opiate medicines. Dutch prescriptions are required, and delivery must remain within national borders.
Costs, coverage and the value of preparation
Being prepared helps: understanding insurance rules, budgeting for a medical consultation, and knowing that invoices must be submitted manually. Once those elements are understood, obtaining medicine through a reputable online pharmacy becomes more straightforward.
Sources
Government of the Netherlands – guidance on purchasing medicines and the distinction between pharmacies and over-the-counter outlets:
https://www.government.nl/topics/medicines/question-and-answer/where-can-i-buy-medicines-in-the-netherlands
Netherlands Worldwide – information on travelling with medicines and rules for controlled substances:
https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/travel-abroad/medicines
Dutch Customs Administration – explanation of rules on importing medicines:
https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontenten/belastingdienst/individuals/abroad_and_customs/restricted_prohibited_import_export/medicines/medicines-1
European Union – information on cross-border prescriptions within the EU:
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/prescription-medicine-abroad/prescriptions/index_en.htm
Amsterdam’s official information portal – how healthcare works for residents and newcomers:
https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/live-work-study/living/healthcare-insurance/understanding-the-dutch-healthcare-system
Online pharmacy service information – background on operations, prescriptions, and services:
https://www.efarma.nl
Educational video on how Dutch healthcare works, including the role of doctors and pharmacies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjafiyfehh8
Appendix
Brand-name medicine
A medicine sold under a specific trade name by a pharmaceutical company, typically the first version released before generic alternatives appear.
Dutch doctor or specialist
A licensed medical professional in the Netherlands, such as a general practitioner or specialist, who can issue valid prescriptions accepted by Dutch pharmacies.
Health insurance reimbursement
The process in which an insurer repays costs the patient has already paid for medicines or medical services, based on policy terms.
Opiate medicine
A controlled drug containing opioid substances and subject to strict rules because of potential misuse or dependence.
Pharmacy
A licensed establishment that dispenses prescription medicines, offers advice on their safe use, and may also provide selected non-prescription products.
Prescription
A written authorisation from a qualified medical professional instructing a pharmacy to dispense a specific medicine in a defined strength and quantity.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 