Lost or Stolen Medication in France? How to Get an Emergency Prescription

Losing your medication while travelling in France — whether through theft, lost luggage, or simply running out — can feel genuinely frightening. You may depend on that medication daily, and navigating the French healthcare system in a language you don’t speak only adds to the stress.

The good news: you can get help quickly. Dr Simon Gordon offers emergency online consultations for English-speaking visitors across France. Within a single video appointment, he can assess your situation and, where clinically appropriate, issue a private French prescription (ordonnance) that any pharmacy in France will accept.

What to Do If Your Medication Has Been Lost or Stolen

If you’ve lost your medication or had it stolen, here is what to do:

  • Check whether the medication is available over the counter. French pharmacists can sometimes supply small quantities of common medications without a prescription — it is always worth asking.
  • If it requires a prescription, you will need to see a doctor. A French pharmacy cannot dispense prescription medication without a valid French ordonnance.
  • If the medication was stolen, file a police report (déclaration de vol). This may be needed by your travel insurance and can help at the pharmacy.
  • Contact your home GP or pharmacy and ask them to email a copy of your current prescription list. This helps the consulting doctor verify your medication and dosages.
Before you book - one thing that helps 

Why an Online Consultation Is Often the Fastest Option

When you’re in an unfamiliar area with no local GP, finding a doctor who speaks English and has availability can take hours — or longer in rural areas and during the summer months.

An online consultation with Dr Gordon removes that barrier entirely. You can book a video appointment from wherever you are in France — your hotel, a café, or even the airport. There is no need to find a clinic, wait in a queue, or explain your medical history in French.

If a prescription is clinically appropriate, Dr Gordon will issue a French ordonnance during the consultation. You can then take it to any pharmacy in France to have it dispensed.

What Medication Can Be Prescribed?

Dr Gordon can prescribe replacements for most routine medications, including those for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid conditions, asthma, acid reflux, and many others.

Some medications are subject to additional restrictions in France, particularly controlled substances such as certain painkillers, benzodiazepines, and ADHD medication. These may require a specialist or a physical consultation. Dr Gordon will advise you on your options during the appointment.

How It Works

Book a consultation using the online booking link below. Appointments are available at short notice.

Attend a video consultation with Dr Simon Gordon. Have your passport or ID to hand, along with any details of your current medication (photos of packaging, a prescription list from your home GP, or your pharmacy’s contact details).

English Speaking Doctor in France

Receive a French prescription (ordonnance) by email if clinically appropriate. Take it to any pharmacy in France.

English Medical Services in France

Pay €100 for the consultation. Payment is taken at the time of booking. An invoice is provided for travel insurance claims.

About Dr Simon Gordon

Dr Simon Gordon is a British GP (MB ChB, University of Glasgow) based at Cabinet Medical Gordon in Valbonne, on the Côte d’Azur. He is registered with both the UK General Medical Council and the French Ordre des Médecins, with over 20 years of experience across the UK, Israel, and France.

Unlike anonymous telemedicine platforms, you know exactly who you are speaking to. Dr Gordon provides the same standard of care online as he does in his own practice.

LinkedIn | Google Business Profile | gordonmedical.fr | +33 4 93 12 95 66

Dr Simon Gordon, British GP in Valbonne, France

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Frequently Asked Questions

French pharmacists have some discretion to provide small supplies of certain non-controlled medications in an emergency, but this is not guaranteed. For most prescription medications, you will need a valid French ordonnance from a doctor.
Foreign prescriptions are not legally valid in France. You will need a French doctor to issue a new prescription. Dr Gordon can do this during an online consultation.
Appointments are often available the same day or the next day. Book online using the link on this page and select the earliest available slot.
Controlled substances are subject to additional restrictions in France and often cannot be prescribed via a video consultation. Dr Gordon will discuss your options and advise on the best course of action.
Most travel insurance policies cover the cost of emergency medical consultations abroad. Dr Gordon provides an invoice that you can submit to your insurer. Check your policy terms for confirmation.
Yes. The consultation takes place by video, so you can book from anywhere in France.