Flu prevention, Swiss fashion

Whilst picking up bras, and having been scared silly about the idea of catching something horrible before I go away (or during), I dropped into the pharmacy to get a few supplies - on the assumption that if I'm equipped, it may not happen. We have new laws about medication, which I'd never really noticed. However:a) what I always took for chesty coughs (capsules, brilliantly effective) have suddenly become 'prescription only'. My pharmacist, who I've known for years, still handed them over, with a muttered comment on the law being an ass. b) what I always took for fever, flu-like symptoms (and gave Leah in Nottingham to great effect), has also changed status. You can buy the 500 mg packets over the counter, but not the 1000 mg ones (and you *need* 1000 mg). Friendly pharmacist again took pity on me, as I pointed out that taking 2 x 500 mg sachets isn't rocket science.c) flu jabs - posters recommend them right left and centre, particularly for asthmatics, which I am. So, I thought, I'll get one. Fine. Except you have to make an appointment with your GP (for mine, you have to be nearly dead to get one within 10 days, and even). No telephone request, you have to be there in person to get a prescription for a flu vaccine. Then you have to go to the pharmacy and buy it. Then you have to get a second appointment with the GP to give it to you. According to the paper the other day, the world of Swiss medicine is wondering why people don't *get* the damn vaccine. I'm sure a lot of us who don't have lots of spare time could answer that.Result: I now have two little phials of this year's anti-flu homeopathic granules to take, which according to friendly pharmacist are just as effective. Cost: about £4. Cost of 2 doctors' appointments and flu jab: at least £60, of which I'd pay the first 10% (and then only *after* my medical bills per year exceed £400, which they never do 'cos I'm rarely ill).Sliding into rant mode here, but as a family we pay over £1,000 every three months for (not very comprehensive and only slightly better than the compulsory minimum) medical insurance. The price increases hugely every year. Why? The more people pay, the more (some of them) tend to go to the doctor, too, to get their money's worth. Meaning the more the insurance companies have to pay out, meaning the insurance goes up and up and up. Bloody ridiculous. Switzerland's economy is a bloody mess overall, in fact, but I'm not going to rant any more. Sam and beaches are awaiting.