1.3 Health

Medicines

Preparing, marketing, prescribing and selling medicines is controlled by legislation in medicines act (10.4.1987/395). You can buy over-the-counter –medication, meaning medicines that do not require prescription, in the pharmacy. The staff at pharmacies have been trained to advice in issues related to medication, and to help with finding the correct medicine. You can buy eg. mild pain killers, allergy medication and medicines for digestive problems over-the-counter.

Medical prescription is required for most medicines. Usually doctors prescribe medicines. Nurses can prescribe certain medicines after a special training. You need to have a doctor’s appointment or visit a hospital to get a prescription. Sometimes a doctor can prescribe medication by phone for priorly diagnosed medical problems. Prescription can be on paper or electronic. E-prescriptions can be sent directly to the data base which is used in pharmacies.

You can ask for advice and help for issues related to medication from staff at the pharmacy, nurses and doctors. There are instructions for safe use inside every medicine package as well. Instructions must be followed carefully. Special attention must be paid when giving medication to a child. You have to check the medicine is safe for children and calculate the correct dose carefully.

Selling, possessing and taking any non-medical drugs is illegal in Finland.