Where to buy medicine in Egypt without getting overcharged at pharmacies?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: today
TL;DR
Pharmacies are available at hotels and in town. City pharmacies vary wildly in price — look for one that charges the price printed on the box. Hotel/resort pharmacies are 2–3x more expensive but fully stocked.
What the community said
There's a Russian-run pharmacy with fixed prices near Mango Market — free transfer if you spend over $25. Good assortment and Russian-speaking staff help you pick, but visits are limited to about 30 minutes.
today Russian pharmacy near Mango Market — free transfer from $25
Throat spray and antibiotic priced around $1 each — considered a fair price.
today Throat spray & antibiotic — $1 each
A sightseeing excursion run by Fun Sun includes a stop at a pharmacy that sells at the price printed on the box. Adapalene and tretinoin acne creams cost only 30-40 EGP for a 30g tube there — much cheaper than in Russia.
today Pharmacy via Fun Sun excursion — adapalene/tretinoin 30-40 EGP per 30g
The pharmacy in the building next to Serenity pharmacy has noticeably lower prices — some items are 2–3x cheaper, and on certain products the difference can be as much as 10x.
today Pharmacy next to Serenity — up to 10x cheaper
Fraud was reported at a hotel pharmacy: the printed price on the packaging was covered up and replaced with a custom barcode at a much higher price. Two medicines worth around $3 were charged at $16, and receipts were withheld. The same medicines cost 150 EGP at a pharmacy near the port. Always demand a receipt and check the price printed on the box.
today Pharmacy near the port — 150 EGP for the same medicines
The 'Russian Pharmacy' website works well as a price reference: show screenshots of listed prices at a local pharmacy and staff will match them when ringing up your purchase. Free delivery is available on orders from 1,500 EGP (~$30).
today Russian Pharmacy site — free delivery from 1,500 EGP (~$30)
The hotel pharmacy can sometimes offer fair prices — one traveler paid the same as listed on a Russian pharmacy website without any negotiation.
today Hotel pharmacy
The pharmacy inside the resort club is well-stocked — burn cream, throat medicine and more — but prices are 2–3x higher than in town.
today Resort club pharmacy
City pharmacy prices vary enormously — the same vitamins can cost $5 in one shop and $20 next door. Always check the price printed on the box and visit a few pharmacies to compare.
today Vitamins: $5–$20 for the same product
Eye drops in city pharmacies should cost around $0.50 each — the box price is 22 Egyptian pounds. Many pharmacies will quote $2–3, so look for one that charges the printed price.
today Eye drops: 22 EGP (~$0.50) printed on box
To avoid haggling at pharmacies, take a taxi to Mango Market where prices are fixed.
today Mango Market — fixed prices