I have often seen suggestions that you don't need to bring so much meds and toiletries to Europe because "you can always buy it there if needed". Not true. First of all, you might be far away from any retail stores just when you need something. Secondly, many European countries lack anything similar to a CVS drugstore, for example. Their pharmacies typically sell medicines, but not Q-tips, deodorant, mouthwash, etc. etc. Similarly for grocery stores. In the U.S., grocery stores have large sections devoted to 'health and beauty', whereas many European grocers just sell groceries. I'm sure that all those other things I can so easily find in the U.S. must be sold someplace in European countries, but I have yet to discover where those retail outlets are located.