Pharmacies

Pharmacies in Lagos: What You Need to Know

Need a pharmacy in Lagos? Portuguese pharmacies (farmácias) are excellent, well-stocked, and the pharmacists are highly trained — for minor ailments they're often the quickest help you'll find, and many staff speak English. Here's how they work and how to find one when you need it.

Finding an open pharmacy — and the 24-hour duty pharmacy

Pharmacies in Lagos keep regular daytime hours, typically closing for the evening and on Sundays. But there's always one on duty (farmácia de serviço) — a rotating 24-hour pharmacy that covers nights, Sundays and public holidays, so you can always get medicine in an emergency.

The duty pharmacy changes on a rota, so the one open tonight may not be the one open tomorrow. To find today's duty pharmacy: every pharmacy displays the current rota on its door, and it's published officially each day. Check the notice on any pharmacy's door, or ask at your accommodation, to confirm which one is on duty right now.

What pharmacists can help with

Portuguese pharmacists can advise on and supply remedies for everyday issues — sunburn, upset stomachs, insect bites, headaches, minor allergies — and many medicines that need a prescription elsewhere are available over the counter here. For anything beyond minor care, they'll point you to a doctor or health centre. Travelling with children? Our guide to Lagos with kids has more on handling minor needs on holiday.

Practical tips

• Look for the green cross. The illuminated green cross is the universal sign of a pharmacy, and it usually shows when the pharmacy is open.


• Bring your prescription and ID if you need prescription medicine.


• Know the generic name of any regular medication — brand names differ between countries, and the pharmacist can match it.


• Out of hours, head to the duty pharmacy — check the rota on any pharmacy door first.

Browse the pharmacies in the Lagos area below for locations and contacts.