Luxembourg pharmacies: how to buy medicine

You can only buy medicine from a pharmacy in Luxembourg. Compliance with this requirement is strictly monitored by the Ministry of Health. All pharmacies in the Grand Duchy are easy to recognize: they have a green cross and the word Pharmacie in French.

For minor problems, you can go directly to the pharmacist for help — they have the right to recommend ordinary medication and drugs to customers, for example, for insomnia or headaches.

Often, when dispensing over-the-counter medications such as supplements, vitamins, lenses, etc., pharmacists will check to see if the client has a doctor's prescription and will ask about the client's condition.

All pharmacists in the Grand Duchy are responsible for the health and safety of the patient, almost as much as the treating physician. This literally means that you cannot buy any prescription drugs without a doctor's written order.

Pharmacists can verify symptoms to prevent side effects or the progression of a disease. The pharmacist may consult your treating doctor by telephone if he or she decides to substitute one medication for another. If the patient suffers complications due to the medication being given, the pharmacist will be held responsible.

Normally the pharmacist will write the instruction on how to use medication right on the package and repeat it verbally. All pharmacists speak German, French, Luxembourgish, and English.

Pharmacy opening hours in Luxembourg

Pharmacies in the Grand Duchy normally work on the same schedule as all the stores.

Pharmacies are open during standard business hours: from 8-9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Usually, pharmacies are closed on Sundays, but it is possible to find 24-hour pharmacies in the Grand Duchy.

If you need medication beyond normal business hours, such as at night or on weekends, there are duty pharmacies that are open 24 hours a day.

Purchasing prescription drugs at a pharmacy

If the medicine is prescribed by a doctor, the health insurance will reimburse all or part of the cost, depending on the category. That is the reason why in Luxembourg the vast majority of people if they have even a slight cold, go straight to the doctor to get a prescription and then to a pharmacy.

Prescriptions can be provided physically or online: there is a digital prescription service available in Luxembourg.

Duty pharmacies charge a commission fee for buying drugs (even prescribed ones) outside of regular business hours. This surcharge is usually 5-10 euros and is not reimbursed by health insurance.

Purchasing over-the-counter medications

When you buy over-the-counter medications, you pay the full cost.

Even a painkiller or cold medicine like aspirin or ibuprofen will cost much cheaper when prescribed.

Ordering medications in the online pharmacy

Following the French and Belgian neighbors, in 2014 Luxembourg began to sell pharmaceuticals online. But with a limitation of three packages of medication per person, that is, one user.

Most drugs in Luxembourg are of German, French and Belgian origin.

The average cost of pharmaceuticals

The prices are quite high, but the insurance covers the expenses. The Ministry of Health approves the listing of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and the cost of prescription medications is covered based on categories:

• for severe and chronic diseases — 100% of the price;
• for drugs in broad demand — acute respiratory infections treatment, painkillers — 40% of the price;
• for other categories of medication — 80% of the price. Most of the time, you will get an 80% reimbursement since most of the drugs prescribed by doctors fall under this section.

Vitamins and contraceptives are not eligible for reimbursement. For a complete list of drugs and reimbursement percentages, visit the CNS website.