Buying medicines in Lima, Peru

Dancer. Botica Logo on the background (Photo: ExpatNomad/Flickr)

It is very likely that, as a responsible traveler, you have already bought a travel insurance, and that it will probably cover any health issue you may have while in Peru. But if you don’t have a major problem, if you only have a cold or an upset stomach or anything that does not require going to a hospital, you may find friendly help at any local drugstore, locally known as Boticas or Farmacias.

Despite local regulations, in Lima, Peru you can easily buy most medicines (including antibiotics, AINES, etc), without having a prescription, excepting sleeping pills and similars.

And if you don’t remember the name of THAT medicine you might need, the clerks will help you, since most of them are Pharmacists or have some training in Pharmacy. But some Boticas go further and have even a doctor there, to provide medical advice, for free or for as little as S/.5 soles (US $1.5) when needed. Yes, their real goal is selling meds, but this service can be really useful sometimes.

Of course, nothing can substitute a real doctor or the complete services that a hospital provides. Just keep this information in case you are not really, really ill or don’t feel like spending the whole morning dealing with Health Services.

Have a healthy trip!