Duct-tape Doctor
I also have carry a small camping-style roll of duct tape. While this isn't technically part of my medical kit, it has worked admirably well on badly cracked heels and as an emergency blister bandage... as well as repairing hiking shoes, luggage tags, purse straps, mending a vinyl rain jacket, and filling in for a broken zipper and ripping corner on my baggage just before boarding my plane.For my personal daily needs, I have a small water-tight pill container which is big enough to hold any pills for day use. Since my travels before and after Greece often include somewhat wilder destinations, I request from my doctor a course of a full-spectrum antibiotic such as Cipro and carry that with me in my luggage, there if I need it.
Prescription Medicines Need Prescriptions
When carrying prescription medicines into Greece or anywhere, it is best to have them in their original containers and to have a paper prescription with you. If you want to take just part of a bottle, your pharmacist can make you a smaller, properly labelled container for your travel.
The Codeine Question
In Greece, codeine is an outlawed drug, classified in the same category as heroin. Medicines containing codeine or even synthetic codeines are technically illegal and can be seized and the "smuggler" can be arrested, even if you have a proper prescription for them.In practice, however, this type of seizure almost never happens. But if "almost never" isn't enough reassurance, you might want to try a different medication while you are traveling in Greece.
More Information for U.S. Travelers
For official information from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), you can call their traveler information line: 1-877-FYI-TRIP for automated health information.
Handy Health-Related Phone Numbers for Greece
These are accurate as of the time of posting; on your arrival in Greece, you may want to confirm them locally. In most cases, the phone will be answered in Greek but the person will either speak English or know enough to get someone who can.You can dial these from any phone.
24hr pharmacies 107
Hospitals 106
Emergency doctor (2pm to 7am) 105 or 107
Ambulance 166
Roadside assistance for car problems: 10400
