Jeremy Scheck is living in Spain and has recently revealed one of the more unusual culture shocks he has experienced. He recently posted on social media about the differences between pharmacies in the U.S. and Spain. First, he says the job of the pharmacist is different in both countries. In Spain, there are no over-the-counter medications, not even Tylenol or Advil. Then he highlighted the things that are displayed differently. For example, in Spanish pharmacies, you find mostly high-end brand skincare, perfumes, specialty shampoos and mouthwashes on the shelves. If you want everyday brands like Dove or Crest, you have to make a separate visit to a grocery store. When it comes to receiving prescriptions, Scheck points out that Spanish pharmacies don’t put anything into a bottle because the pharmacists aren’t counting pills all day. You’re prescribed the entire box. Another major difference is that in Spain, pharmacists are your first line of defense if you’re not feeling well. You tell them how you’re feeling and they tell you whether or not you need to go to the doctor. Of course, brand name prescriptions is another difference between the two countries. Brand name medications are a fraction of the price of the same medications in the U.S. Last, but not least, healthcare in Spain is free, so getting in to see a doctor isn’t as easy as it is in the U.S. Everything is a trade-off.
