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Hello, lots of Drs (GPs and specialists) do private work on the side (I'd say most). Hence it's easy to see someone at short notice and the prices should be fairly competitive. You'll see signs outside private residences with their details.

For a repeat prescription it shouldn't be a lot. I'm guessing, but perhaps in the region of Rs 1,000, but you may get less. (My mother in law needed one and her Dr. didn't charge anything for years).

Also, the local health clinics are not busy and will probably give you a prescription in the first instance. Might be worth asking there about a repeat one.

@Wandlewed

I was thinking I'd have to pay for each prescription, each time. So, 4 sets of tablets a month, 4 charges for the prescription sheet.

You pay for the medicines -- the price should be marked on each box/pack/sheet of the medicine.

Prescription charges are what the doctor charges you, possibly only at the consultation.

For example, if you are taking medicines for your Blood Pressure, you pay for the medicines as per price.

You can do that for years -- just keep your prescription.

I do know that in the UK you need to get 'repeat prescriptions' from your doctor and then pay a fixed amount per medicine per month, regardless of the actual price of the medication. Most other places have a different system.

@jon61

Jon, two things:

(1) I understand that with a non-citizen residency permit you can have your prescription medicines free if you take your prescription to a public hospital, but most expats pay for their drugs at pharmacies i.e. privately. As always in Mauritius when dealing with officialdom take along your passport, ID card, ID document, proof of address, and your mother's inside leg measurement.

(2) Some medicines e.g. antibiotics are available at pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.

Good luck!

@jon61

Some prescription drugs may be difficult or impossible to obtain on the island, but your GP should be able to find a generic alternative. Be very careful at the pharmacy to ensure you're given exactly the right drug and dosage, I've experienced some mistakes.

Supplements can be quite expensive, I tend to order a year's worth in the UK (e.g. from Amazon, Holland & Barrett) and pick them up on my annual visit to the UK.

@jon61

OT but might be of interest. The standard advice to expats is to take out private medical insurance. Well, that's fine if you can afford it but many expats can't. The public healthcare system is mush better than you'd imagine from the internet rumours - two retired Mauritian GPs here tell me those stories are made up so as to drive people to take out medical insurance - but as with any healthcare system where delivery is free at the point of delivery (including the NHS) you'll be in a queue for some interventions. So, as in the UK, you might go private on an ad hoc basis to get quicker treatment.

You can invariably see a private GP (maybe Rs1,000 - Rs1,500 if not in a clinic) the same day you want to. Same day also for the publicly-funded GPs at local health centres, but they may not work anything like the hours stated on the notice board!

I recently had an upper body skin cancer check and a skin tag removed by a Chinese-Mauritian lady doctor who trained in the UK, and is a skin cancer specialist. Cost about £40.

@Wandlewed
I was thinking I'd have to pay for each prescription, each time. So, 4 sets of tablets a month, 4 charges for the prescription sheet. - @jon61

By coincidence I had to visit a private GP yesterday (first time for me - I usually just pop into the local public clinics). Very experienced guy.

As I mentioned, I saw his sign outside his home and attended during afternoon/ early evening. No appointment (I tried ringing his landline but no answer).

1 person before me, so waited about 10 minutes. 

The consultation and 2 prescriptions cost a total of Rs 800, so I think as Tookys, said you're just paying for the appointment/ consultation.

Thank you All for your insights into the Mauritian system