Singapore - Pharmacies

In Singapore, many doctors both prescribe and dispense medications so you may be visiting a pharmacy less often than you are used to. There is a tendency for doctors to prescribe many different medications for one complaint. Enquire about which drugs are essential to take and which may be taken as needed. In pharmacies you will find a similar range of products as in Britain and Australia. There are two main pharmacy chains – Guardian and NTUC Healthcare and you will find one of these stores in most shopping centres. The government and private hospitals also have pharmacy departments. The Guardian chain has 100 pharmacies in Singapore but only about 25 of them offer a full dispensing service. Others in the chain will only have a pharmacist in the store for a few hours a day.

Pharmacy opening hours vary and none is open 24 hours. Pharmacies in shopping centres are usually open seven days a week from 10am to 9pm. Pharmacies in hospitals are usually open 8.30am to 5.30pm and are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. In an emergency between 10pm and 8.30am it would be best to go to the 24 hour emergency department of the nearest hospital. Convenience stores that are open 24 hours stock products like aspirin and paracetamol tablets for pain relief.

• Guardian Pharmacy
  290 Orchard Road
  #B1-12 Paragon Shopping Centre
  Singapore
  Tel: + 65  6737 6282
  Open for full dispensing service every day from 10am to 9.30pm
• NTUC Healthcare Pharmacy
  163 Tanglin Road
  #B1-13 Tanglin Mall
  Singapore
  Tel: + 65  6732 1380
  Store opening hours – every day 9am-9.30pm
  Dispensary service – Mon to Sat 9am- 9.30pm, Sun 10.30am-6pm with the dispensary closed on public holidays.