Did you know that Portugal has a super handy website that will help you find 24/7 pharmacies?
Portuguese law says there must always be a pharmacy open somewhere nearby, 24 hours a day. But instead of having the same pharmacy burning the midnight oil every night, they take turns. This results in a more fair and balanced system for both residents and pharmacists who live far away from city centers and do not want to work late-night shifts on a regular basis.
This rotation system is great, except…how do you know which pharmacy is open late? That’s where this Portuguese website that is part Google Maps and part Swiss Army knife for all things pharmacy-related comes in.
But wait, there’s more! This isn’t just about finding late-night medicine. The website is like a Swiss Army knife for all things pharmacy-related. Need a COVID test? It’ll show you where to go. Would you like to check your blood pressure? It’ll point you to the nearest pharmacy that can check it. Time for your flu shot? Yep, it’s got that covered too!
You can also find out which pharmacies on the platform offer online shopping and home delivery. You can browse through everything from bandages to beauty products, all from the comfort of home. This is great for bad weather days or when you may be feeling too sick to even get to the pharmacy.
The search function is particularly helpful. Let’s say you’re in Lisbon and need to find a pharmacy that does blood pressure checks and is open late. Just input in your location, tick a few boxes, and the website will show you all your options, complete with opening hours and available services.
For tourists, this system is an absolute game-changer. Imagine you’re on vacation in the Algarve, and suddenly your allergies kick in at midnight. In most countries, this would be the start of an anxiety-inducing adventure walking around dark streets, hoping to spot an open pharmacy. But in Portugal? Just pull up the website, find the nearest open pharmacy, and you can find help easily.
It should be noted that it is not possible to buy common medication brands in Portugal right off the shelf. You will need to go through the pharmacist at a pharmacy even for headache or diarrhea medication. While you won’t need a prescription to get many of these medications, including birth control, you will need to take a number, wait your turn to walk up to counter, and tell the pharmacist what you need. Supplements and vitamins, however, are easy to purchase without a consultation with a pharmacist.
Who knew finding a pharmacy in Portugal could be this easy? Just click on the Farmacias Portuguesas website and find the medicine you need at the time you need it today.
