Pharmacies in Türkiye 2025: A Practical Guide to Prescriptions, Medicines and Prices

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This is the English editorial edition of a 2025 guide, reviewed on 8 October 2026.

In Türkiye, a pharmacy is called an Eczane. Pharmacies supply medicines, explain their use and can help with suitable products for minor symptoms. Knowing the prescription rules and duty rota makes a visit easier.

Opening hours and on-duty pharmacies​

Ordinary hours depend on the province and local timetable. At night, on Sundays and on public holidays, use the current Nöbetçi Eczane rota rather than assuming all pharmacies are open.

Check the official province and district list and call ahead. Closed pharmacies commonly display the current duty rota on their doors. Map results can help with directions but may contain outdated hours or old duty information.

Which medicines require a prescription?​

Some products for minor pain, cold symptoms, stomach discomfort or skin complaints may be available without one, depending on the specific medicine. Pharmacies also sell vitamins and supplements; check their ingredients and suitability, as non-prescription availability does not make them appropriate for everyone.

Antibiotics and many blood-pressure, diabetes, heart, psychiatric, sleep or strong pain medicines require the appropriate prescription; requirements for injections and other products are product-specific. Receiving a medicine without a prescription once does not establish that it is legally an over-the-counter medicine.

Electronic prescriptions​

Bring your identity document or passport, foreign identity number where issued, and the electronic prescription code. The pharmacist checks the prescription and, where relevant, SGK entitlement and any required report.

Insurance payment is conditional; having a prescription does not mean that no payment will be due. Other legally accepted prescription routes may also apply.

Prices and equivalents​

The price and patient payment can differ with brand, equivalent product, strength, pack size, local or imported product and insurance arrangements. Ask for the price of the exact medicine and whether an appropriate muadil, or equivalent, is available.

The pharmacist should check the ingredient, strength and suitable formulation. Do not choose a replacement solely because the name or packaging resembles a medicine you know.

What a pharmacist can help with​

For an appropriate minor problem, the pharmacist can advise on available non-prescription products, explain instructions and check possible alternatives or interactions.

Persistent high fever, significant symptoms or an uncertain diagnosis need medical assessment. Chest pain, serious breathing difficulty or a severe allergic reaction may require urgent care: call 112 when appropriate. Do not rely on a routine pharmacy visit in a medical emergency.

Check before leaving​

  • The active ingredient and strength.
  • The pack size and quantity supplied.
  • How much to take, how often and for how long.
  • Whether to take it with food and any relevant precautions.
  • Whether the suggested alternative is suitable for the prescribed treatment.
Ask again if the instructions are unclear.

Common precautions​

Some cold remedies and antihistamines cause drowsiness or affect alertness. Combination products can contain ingredients already present in another medicine you take. Pain medicines differ in strength, risks and suitability.

Steroid creams also differ in potency and intended use. Using the wrong product or using it for too long can cause harm. Check with the pharmacist or doctor rather than treating all products in a category as interchangeable.

If you do not speak Turkish​

Write down your symptoms, the medicine name and allergies, or show the original pack or a clear photograph. Translation tools can assist basic communication, but ask the pharmacist to clarify medicine instructions rather than relying on an uncertain automatic translation.

  • Ağrı — Pain.
  • Ateş — Fever.
  • Öksürük — Cough.
  • Boğaz — Throat.
  • Alerji — Allergy.

If you share your city or district in the forum, members can help with finding the official duty rota or phrasing a question in Turkish. General symptom descriptions can help with language support, but should not replace an individual assessment or invite medicine dosing advice.

Official references​


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