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Hello there! I’m Abdullah, a foreign student residing in EskiÅŸehir, a city nestled in the heart of Anatolia, Turkey.
As the founder of Turkpidya, I’ve decided to share my experiences of buying medicines in local Turkish pharmacies, in the hope of shedding light on the process for fellow expats in Turkey.
Spotting Turkish Pharmacies
The first step in your pharmacy adventure is to find a pharmacy, or ‘Eczane’ in Turkish. They’re uniquely identifiable with a large, red ‘E’ against a white background.
Here’s a piece of trivia for you – the “E” stands for ‘Eczane’. Once you’ve spotted this sign, you’re already on track in your quest to buy medicine in Turkey.
The Doctor-Prescription-Pharmacy Process
Buying medicine in Turkey begins with a visit to the doctor. As a foreign resident—identifiable with a Turkish ID starting with ’99’—my prescriptions are digitally transferred to the E-Nabiz system, an innovative online platform providing a comprehensive archive of your medical history. Do check out the E-Nabiz System for more details.
Speaking of acquiring medicine at the pharmacy, it becomes a easy once you understand it. Yes, you’d need your ID, but another crucial piece of information is the e-prescription number which is called e-reçete.
This number is either provided by the hospital nurse or sent to your registered phone via an SMS. The pharmacist then enters my ID and e-prescription numbers into their system, and that’s it – my medication is handed over. Payments can be made either in cash or by credit card, based on your convenience.
Working Hours and Pharmacies on Duty
Open from around 8 or 9am until 6 or 7pm, Turkish pharmacies are not a 24/7 business. But don’t worry about after-hours medical needs. The ‘pharmacies on duty’, or ‘Nöbetçi Eczane‘ in Turkish, cover this period diligently. Their addresses can be found on paper or on digital screens outside working pharmacies. An online search using ‘Nöbetçi Eczane + City Name‘ will also help you find the nearest on-duty pharmacy.
The Experience in Turkish Pharmacies
Pharmacies in Turkey offer more than just medicines. Browse and you’ll find everything from cosmetics to nicotine patches. While prescription drugs such as antibiotics require a doctor’s prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such as paracetamol or painkillers are readily available. Just remember that you will probably need a prescription to use your health insurance.
The Language Barrier
Language barriers are minimal as you may find pharmacists who are fluent in English or other languages. In addition, drug labels with dosage and usage instructions are often available in several languages.
Here are some Turkish words I use frequently whenever i visit a pharmacy:
- Bu ilaçlar sizde bulunur mu? (Do you have these medicines?)
- Onları istiyorum. (I want those.)
- Onları nasıl kullanacağım. (How do I use these?)
- Bu ilaç nasıl kullanıyorum? (How do I use this medicine?)
- Bu hapı yemekten sonra mi. (Take this pill after a meal.)
- Ağrı kesici almak istiyorum. (I want to buy a painkiller.)
- Çocuk için ateş ilacı var mı? (Do you have medicine for fever for children?)
- Bu ilaçtan günde kaç defa almalıyım. (How many times a day should I take this medicine?)
- İlacı günde üç defa almalısınız. (You should take the medicine three times a day.)
- Burun damlası var mı? (Do you have nose drops?)
- Kaşıntı merhemi var mı? (Do you have ointment for itching?)
- Göz Temizleyci damla almak istiyorum. (I want to buy eye cleansing drops.)
Understanding these phrases will surely lighten your pharmacy visits in Turkey. They will also help you get around the potential communication barriers. Familiarize yourself with these and make your pharmacy visit a breeze!
Comparing Buying Medicine in Turkey With Other Countries
| Aspect | Egypt | Turkey | Qatar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Operating Hours | Flexible | Defined Schedule | Defined Schedule |
| Pharmacies After-Hours | No specific on-duty pharmacies mentioned (implied flexibility) | On-duty pharmacies available | On-duty pharmacies available |
| Medicine Sales Restrictions | Antibiotics can be purchased without a prescription | Strict prescription requirements | Strict prescription requirements |
| Medicine Price | Medium | Least expensive | More expensive |
Scenario – Buying A Medicine Without a Residential Permit
When I arrived in Turkey, I only had a visa and a passport. But that did not stop me from buying medication. You can get a prescription linked to your passport from the hospital. You then take the printed prescription to the pharmacy.
In terms of insurance, I had a travel insurance policy that covered my medical expenses. I contacted the insurance company for reimbursement after paying in full at the pharmacy.
I hope my experience will shed some light on how pharmacies work in Turkey. Preparation is the key to overcoming language barriers or unfamiliar procedures, and I am sure my story will help other expats navigate their medical needs in this beautiful country with ease.
TL;DR
- Turkish pharmacies can be identified by a red “E” sign.
- The entire system works on electronic prescriptions linked to your ID, and connect through the E-Nabiz system.
- Payments can be made in cash or credit cards.
- ‘Pharmacies on duty’ or ‘Nöbetçi Eczane’ work beyond the regular pharmacy hours, and their details can be found both offline and online.
- OTC medicines can be bought without a prescription, though health insurance claims require a prescription.
- Language is not a significant barrier given the presence of English-speaking pharmacists and multi-language instructions.
- You can use your passport to get a printed prescription in the absence of a residential permit. Health insurance can cover these medical expenses, which can be claimed later.
