Ernest P. Says:
What are drugstores like in Portugal? Can I get my usual medications from one?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Ernest,
That’s a great question and a very important factor to consider before moving overseas. While most, but not all U.S. and Canadian medications are available in Portugal, some go by different names. Make sure you know the generic name of your medication. For example: In the U.S. the generic name for Tylenol is acetaminophen but throughout Europe it is called paracetamol.
There are two types of pharmacy/drugstore in Portugal.
The first is the traditional pharmacy or apothecary. It sells prescription medicines, those determined by the government to be available with a doctor’s written permission, although they are occasionally sold by the same pharmacies without a prescription, depending on the side effects. These pharmacies are part of the national health service, and if a medicine is dispensed with a doctor’s prescription, the cost is usually negligible. These pharmacies also sell over-the-counter painkillers, antacids, nutritional supplements, select body care products, etc. They can be recognized by the word Farmácia preceding the name of the pharmacy.
The other type of pharmacy in Portugal is like the American-style drugstore but without the prescription drugs. It may look similar to the first but will not have Farmácia before the name of the business. As the cost of most patented and prescription medications is closely regulated, ibuprofen in one or the other will be virtually the same price.
It’s up to you which type to choose. If you need a prescription filled or want to ask a question about medication, seek out the first type. Pharmacists are professional and very well trained. Often you can avoid a trip to the doctor—and still get to see a white lab coat, because no pharmacist is without one—simply by speaking with your local person about a minor ailment. If you want to buy sunglasses, vitamins, headache medicine, or shampoo, look for the second.
You can find much more information on Portuguese pharmacies and healthcare in general in Chapter 7 of Escape to Portugal, available on the IL bookstore here.
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