As you?d expect, the chemists in Spain operate on slightly different levels to that of the pharmacies in the UK.

Pharmacies (or farmacias, as they?re known in Spain) which display a green cross sign on the shop front will generally accept your doctor?s prescription.??

On providing a prescription, you?ll automatically pay just 40% of the medicine?s actual cost.

Most chemists are open from 9:30 to 13:30 then close during the siesta break, reopening at 16:30 and remaining open until 20:00 from Monday to Saturday.

The good news is that densely populated areas as well as tourist destinations usually have a number of pharmacies which are open 24 hours a day.

Although these may see closed early in the morning or late at night, you may ring the emergency bell situated by the door outside in order to alert the pharmacist. Most 24 hour chemists are indicated by a red light on the pharmacy sign.

It?s always a good idea for sufferers of asthma to locate the nearest 24 hour chemist, in case your inhaler runs out in the middle of the night.

In the tourist areas, many pharmacists speak English and are very helpful.