Pharmacy (Apotek / Farmacia / Pharmacie)
A pharmacy dispenses medications and health advice — the name, opening hours, and what they sell varies by country.
A pharmacy dispenses medications and health advice — the name, opening hours, and what they sell varies by country.
Also known as
Apotek, Farmacia, Pharmacie, Apotheke, Chemist, Drugstore
Why travellers need to know
Finding a pharmacy abroad means knowing the local name, recognising the storefront sign, and understanding their hours and dispensing rules. The green cross is universal across Europe. 'Apotek' in Scandinavia, 'Apotheke' in Germany, 'Farmacia' in Spain/Italy, 'Pharmacie' in France. In many countries, pharmacists dispense medications and provide clinical advice that would require a GP visit at home, making the pharmacy your most efficient first stop for minor health issues.
Real-world example
It's 11pm in Paris and you need antihistamines for a sudden allergic reaction. Regular pharmacies closed at 8pm. You search for 'pharmacie de garde' (duty pharmacy) and find one open until midnight 15 minutes away, identifiable by its illuminated green cross. The pharmacist dispenses cetirizine without a prescription and advises you on dosage.
Country-specific notes
🇫🇷 France
Green cross; pharmacie de garde for after-hours
French pharmacies are marked by a green cross (illuminated when open). They close by 8pm but every area has a 'pharmacie de garde' on rotation for evenings, weekends, and holidays. Check the door of any closed pharmacy for the nearest duty pharmacy address.
🇩🇪 Germany
Apotheke: highly regulated, staffed by pharmacists
German Apotheken are staffed exclusively by qualified pharmacists who provide detailed clinical advice. They are highly regulated and can dispense some medications without a prescription that would be doctor-only in other countries. After-hours duty pharmacies (Notdienst-Apotheke) operate on a rotation published in every pharmacy window.
🇹🇭 Thailand
Most medications dispensed without prescription
Thai pharmacies dispense the widest range of medications without prescription in Southeast Asia, including antibiotics, blood pressure drugs, and many medications requiring prescriptions in Western countries. Quality at chain pharmacies (Boots, Fascino) is reliable. Exercise caution at independent shops in tourist areas.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a pharmacy open late abroad?
In Europe, look for 'pharmacie de garde' (France), 'Notdienst-Apotheke' (Germany), or 'farmacia de guardia' (Spain). The after-hours rotation is posted on every closed pharmacy's door or window. In Asia and the Americas, Google Maps reliably shows pharmacy hours. In many countries, pharmacies inside hospitals are open 24/7.
Can a pharmacist help me instead of seeing a doctor?
In many countries, yes. Pharmacists in France, Germany, Spain, Thailand, and much of Asia can assess minor conditions, recommend treatment, and dispense medications that would require a GP visit elsewhere. For infections, allergies, digestive issues, and pain management, the pharmacy is often the most efficient first step.
Show your Nomedic medication list at any pharmacy counter and the pharmacist can read your current medications in their language, avoiding interactions and finding equivalents.