I had a horrible experience on my last trip and needed to visit a hospital in Albania. The quality of care was surprisingly good in the capital but I'd like to know what others experienced in smaller cities or rural areas. Did they accept foreign travel insurance directly? Were you asked to pay upfront and claim later? Was there anyone at the hospital who spoke English, or did you need a local interpreter? I also want to know about pharmacies in Albania – can you get prescription medication over the counter, or is the system strict? A friend told me antibiotics are sold without prescription in Albania which is convenient but also concerning. What's the standard medication people carry just in case when traveling to Albania?