Lekáreň is a pharmacy where you get medicines prescribed by a doctor using an electronic prescription (eRecept), and also buy over-the-counter medicines.
How it works
- Medicines are either prescription-only (na predpis) or over-the-counter (voľnopredajné).
- For prescription medicines, you just need to mention the prescription. Often, your insurance card is enough because the prescription is electronic.
- For some medicines, you have to pay a co-payment (doplatok), even if insurance covers the main cost.
At night and on weekends, there is an on-call pharmacy (pohotovostná lekáreň). You can find its address on the door of the nearest pharmacy or on the internet. Prescription medicines usually need to be picked up within a limited time after they are issued, otherwise the prescription becomes invalid. The pharmacist can advise you on how to take the medicine and suggest an over-the-counter remedy for a cold or pain if you don't want to go to the doctor. Many pharmacies also measure blood pressure and help you choose vitamins or care products.
