Pharmacies and Prescriptions

Healthcare System in the Czech Republic – Part Four

We are affected by illnesses sveral times a year, which makes it impossible to avoid going to a pharmacy. That’s why we prepared answers to the most common questions about medicines and pharmacies.

Why do you have to pay for some medicines?

There are two types of medicines:

Over-the-counter medicines: vitamins, food supplements, and some other medicines are always covered by the patient.
Prescriprion medicines: availability and coverage depend on the health insurance company and reimbursement terms.

If you are looking for an uncommon medicine we recommend calling the pharmacy to inquire about its availability.

Why do prescriprion medicine prices vary?

Various factors may affect the price of a medicine:

Pharmacy choice – pharmacies are commercial entities and therefore can add their own markup. Some offer benefits to their members, such as medications without an additional charge.
Insurance coverage – some medicines are fully covered, while others are only partially covered. If you are not satisfied with the price, you can ask your pharmacist or doctor for a cheaper alternative with the same active ingredient.
Prescribing doctor – some medicines are fully covered only if prescribed by a specialist rather than a GP.

How does an e-prescription work?

A doctor can send you an e-prescription via e-mail or SMS. It contains a QR-code that the pharmacist scans to obtain the required information. In the Czech Republic, this system is linked to the ID card – the pharmacist will only dispense medications after you present your ID. You wil find instructions for use, the number of packs, and the validity period on the prescription. Some patients can be given a repeat prescription, which is valid for up to six months.

What should I do if I take several medicines?

If you are taking multiple medications, we recommend consulting a pharmacist or contacting the State Institute for Drug Control (Státní ústav pro kontrolu léčiv, SÚKL), which provides information on drug interactions and contraindications.

Non-stop pharmacies in Prague

If you need to buy medicines outside of regular business hours, you can visit 24-hour pharmacies, which also operate at night through a night window. Here is a list of selected 24-hour pharmacies:

Lékárna Dr. Max – Vítězné náměstí 997/13, Praha 6
BENU lékárna – Fr. Křížka 22, Praha 7 (Poliklinika Holešovice)
Lékárna nemocnice Na Františku – Na Františku 8, Praha 1
Lékárna U svaté Ludmily – Belgická 238/37, Praha 2
Lékárna EUC Poliklinika Šustova – Šustova 1930/2, Praha 4
Lékárna Thomayerova nemocnice – Vídeňská 800, Praha 4
Pohotovostní lékárna FN Motol – V Úvalu 84, Praha 5
Lékárna EUC Poliklinika Malešice – Plaňanská 1, Praha 10

A small tip to finsih

Make sure to have pictures of the medications you take regularly, along with any relevant medical reports from previous examinations. This information is crucial for doctors to choose the appropriate treatment.

To get further information, please call +420 252 543 846. If you already have a doctor and need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our intercultural workers.

We wish you the best of health!