Are pharmacies in Sharm el-Sheikh trustworthy — is it safe to buy medication in Egypt?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 27 days ago
TL;DR
Medications are available in Egyptian pharmacies, but always check the packaging in-store before leaving — there have been reports of boxes with missing blister packs. Show the pharmacist the active ingredient, not the brand name.
What the community said
Pharmacy fraud warning: always open the box and check for blister packs before paying, especially for expensive medications. There are confirmed cases of resealed packaging with the tablets removed. This is particularly risky when a drug is hard to find and you're collecting it from multiple pharmacies.
27 days ago Check blister packs inside the box
When buying pain relief or anti-inflammatory ointments in Egyptian pharmacies, note that painkillers and anti-inflammatories are different things. If you need an anti-inflammatory (e.g. for a herniated disc flare-up), show the pharmacist the active ingredient your doctor recommended rather than asking generically.
27 days ago Show active ingredient, not brand name
Egyptian pharmacies sell many medications over the counter, including topical pain relievers, which tourists often bring home. However, pharmacists may not always match the right drug to your symptoms, so it's best to know the active ingredient your doctor recommends before visiting.
27 days ago Many medications available OTC