Pharmacy
Pharmacies and prescriptions
Prescriptions in Czechia have been electronic since 2018. Your doctor issues an eRecept, you receive a 12-character code via SMS or email, and any pharmacy (lekarna) can dispense against it.
Using an eRecept
Bring your insurance card and the eRecept code (or open the SUKL Pacient pacientsky prehled app that stores your prescriptions). Show the code to the pharmacist. They scan and dispense. Co-payment is usually 5 to 50 CZK per box, sometimes higher for premium brands when a cheaper generic exists.
Over-the-counter
Many first-line drugs are available without a prescription: standard painkillers, cold medicines, allergy medication, most probiotics. Antibiotics are always prescription-only. Ask for volne prodejny (over the counter) or na predpis (prescription-only) when in doubt.
24-hour pharmacies
Every larger city has at least one 24-hour pharmacy, usually near the main train station or a large hospital. Prague has multiple. Regional cities usually one. Local police stations and hospital receptions can direct you to the nearest overnight pharmacy.
Cross-border prescriptions
Czech doctors can issue an EU cross-border prescription (Europeisky recept) on request, which is valid in most EEA countries. It is a paper form separate from eRecept. Ask specifically at the visit if you need it.