Today in Portugal are acting 2.775 drugstores, and each municipal district is ought to have at least one retail pharmacy.
In Portugal, only a pharmacist can be a medical store owner. Under the law, he or she may own no more than 4 drugstores, is required to manage them and be a member of the Pharmacy Chamber. In addition to private pharmacies, Portugal has a network of charitable drugstores called "Mercy" and intended to service the poor.
The last 10 years for Portuguese pharmaceuticals have been a period of rapid development. By 2008, the country became one of the European leaders in quality of health care and the consumption of drugs per capita. Portuguese apothecaries not only provide patients with medications, but also take part in national programs aimed at health care improving. Pharmacies are open on weekdays from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm with a lunch break from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm. On Saturday they are open only until lunch, and on Sunday are closed. In Portugal pharmacies each patient can measure the blood pressure, waist circumference and calculate the body mass index for free. For a small fee (from 3 to 5 Euros) anybody can measure the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood or determine the lipid profile. Apothecaries can provide first aid to patients, advice on vaccinations and medication consumption and inform the public health programs that can be useful to the patient. For all drugs sold in the drugstores, is set the maximum allowable retail price. It should not be higher than the average cost of these drugs in referential countries (France, Greece, Italy and Spain). To reduce the costs of health care in the country since 2008 has been carried out an active policy of promoting generics.
Modern Portuguese prefer to buy Portugal medicines on the Internet. This type of shopping has significant advantages over traditional. You can choose the most convenient for you delivery method — mail, courier or self-pick from the web store’s office. Prices in Portugal online drugstores are usually much lower than in conventional stores. In addition, for new and regular clients are constantly held stocks, discounts and other financially attractive offers. Sometimes health problems are so delicate that patients cannot discuss them with the staff of a pharmacy. In online Portugal drugstores such patients can also get an expert advice, but purchasing process eliminates the direct personal contact with a pharmacist that adds confidence.
With our service, you can compare the benefits of some of the most popular in Portugal online pharmacies (and throughout the world), select exactly that variant that will suit you and which you will be comfortable to work with in the future.