Pharmacies in Dubai: What You Can Buy Without a Prescription

A comprehensive guide to over-the-counter medications, regulations, and prices that every traveler needs to know to feel safe. Dubai—your mind conjures images of skyscrapers and luxurious beaches. But what if, instead of being awestruck by the views of Burj Khalifa, you’re struck by a simple headache from the scorching sun? Or a mild cold caused by ubiquitous air conditioners? It is in such moments that access to a reliable pharmacy becomes the key to a comfortable and carefree vacation. However, the pharmaceutical market in the UAE operates under strict rules, and ignorance of these rules can lead to serious trouble. Here, we’ll take a close look at Dubai’s pharmacy landscape. You’ll learn what you can and should buy on-site, how to avoid hefty fines for seemingly harmless cough syrup, and why local pharmacies are as much a benchmark for service as the emirate’s famous hotels.

Bring it with you or buy it on-site? The key decision for every traveler

Before any trip, every traveler wonders: isn’t it easier to pack a first-aid kit at home and bring everything with you? When it comes to the UAE, the answer isn’t so straightforward. Local legislation regarding medications is among the strictest in the world. Attempting to bring your usual medicines into the country could result not just in inconvenience, but in real legal problems. Imagine the customs officer’s surprise when they find cough syrup containing codeine in your luggage, a substance classified here as a controlled narcotic. Importing it without a prior online permit issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is not an administrative violation but a criminal offense. To legally bring even permitted prescription medications into the country, you’ll need an official prescription and a letter from your doctor, both translated into English. So our first and most important piece of advice is: leave at home anything that raises even the slightest doubt. You can easily, and most importantly, without jeopardizing your vacation, purchase cold, allergy, or indigestion remedies locally.

What you can freely buy in Dubai pharmacies

The range of over-the-counter medications available in Dubai pharmacies is vast and features well-known international brands, making it easy to find the right equivalent for any medication you need. The main advantage is the highest quality and strict government oversight, which completely eliminates the risk of encountering counterfeit products.

Disclaimer: Prices are provided as a guide and are subject to change. We recommend checking the current prices directly with the pharmacies.

What to ask the pharmacist: A brief Russian–Dubai phrasebook

Below is a list of the most common ailments and proven remedies that you can easily find in any pharmacy.

If you have a headache or a fever:

• What to look for: Medications based on paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Magic words: Panadol (paracetamol, the most popular option), Brufen or Advil (ibuprofen, a full equivalent of our "Nurofen").
• If your muscles or joints hurt: Feel free to ask for Voltaren gel.
• Price range: 13 - 25 AED.

If your throat is scratchy or you've developed a cough:

• What to look for: Lozenges, sprays, and syrups.
• Magic words: For a sore throat—everyone's familiar Strepsils. For a cough—Mucosolvan (analog of "Lazolvan"). The pharmacist may also recommend effective local and Indian syrups, such as Koflet.
• Price range: 15 - 30 AED.

If you're caught off guard by an allergic reaction:

• What to look for: Antihistamines.
• Magic words: Zyrtec (yes, the same "Zyrtec"), Claritin, or Telfast. These will help with reactions to local pollen or unfamiliar food.
• Price range: 20 - 35 AED.

If your stomach rebels:

• What to look for: Remedies for heartburn, indigestion, or diarrhea.
• Magic words: For heartburn—Gaviscon. For indigestion—Creon (analog of "Mezim"). For traveler's diarrhea—Imodium. Also look for Diocthedral Smectite if you need an analog of "Smecta".
• Price range: 15–40 AED.

If you need first aid (cuts, scrapes, blisters):

• What to look for: Antiseptics and high-quality bandages.
• Magic words: Instead of iodine or brilliant green, ask for Betadine based on povidone-iodine. Hydrocolloid bandages like Compeed will help treat blisters after long walks.
• Price range: 17–50 AED.

Vitamins, supplements, and skincare products

Pharmacies in Dubai are true health and beauty hubs. They offer a vast selection of vitamins and dietary supplements from global brands such as Solgar and Nature's Bounty, as well as a wide range of therapeutic skincare products, including Vichy and La Roche-Posay.

Red line: What you absolutely cannot buy without a prescription

Despite the availability of over-the-counter medications, it’s important to remember that the laws in the UAE are very strict. This is done to combat uncontrolled self-medication, prevent antibiotic resistance, and strictly control the circulation of potent substances.

Here is a list of drug categories that are dispensed only with a local prescription:

• Antibiotics of all classes.
• Strong painkillers, especially those containing codeine or tramadol.
• Psychotropic substances (antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives).
• Medications for treating chronic diseases (cardiovascular drugs, diabetes medications, etc.) that require medical supervision.

Pharmacies in Dubai: Where to find them and how to buy

Pharmacies in Dubai are modern, impeccably clean spaces offering outstanding service. The market is dominated by large chains such as BinSina Pharmacy, Life Pharmacy, and Boots, which ensures consistent quality standards and English-speaking staff. Finding a pharmacy is easy, pharmacies are located literally at every turn in shopping malls, near metro stations, along tourist promenades, and in residential areas.

24/7 availability

One of the key advantages of the system is its accessibility. Most pharmacies stay open late into the evening (until 11:00 p.m.), and flagship branches in major tourist locations, such as Dubai Marina, are open around the clock. This means you can get assistance at any time of day or night.

Online ordering and express delivery

Dubai wouldn’t be Dubai without ultra-modern services. Leading chains such as Life Pharmacy and Aster Pharmacy offer a convenient option for ordering over-the-counter medications through mobile apps. A courier will deliver your order directly to your hotel or apartment within 30–60 minutes. This is the perfect solution if you’re feeling unwell, don’t want to go out in the heat, or simply value your time.

Pharmacy etiquette rules: Practical tips for travelers

By knowing a few simple rules, you can make your visit to the pharmacy as quick and efficient as possible.

Do's

• Name the active ingredient, not the brand. A pharmacist in Dubai may not know what “Nurofen” is, but they certainly know what “ibuprofen” is. The same goes for “No-Spa” (drotaverine) or “Lazolvan” (ambroxol). Look up the active ingredient of your usual medication online before heading to the pharmacy, it’s the most reliable way to find an exact equivalent and avoid confusion.
• Use delivery services. Save time and energy by ordering essential medications online with delivery to your hotel.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Pharmacists in Dubai are highly qualified professionals. Feel free to consult them, they’ll help you find the right alternative.
• See a doctor if necessary. If you need a prescription drug, the only legal option is to visit a local clinic or use telemedicine services to obtain a prescription from a licensed physician.

Don'ts

• Don’t try to “make a deal.” Asking a pharmacist to sell you an antibiotic or another prescription drug “off the books” is completely pointless and illegal.
• Do not bring prohibited items. Before your trip, be sure to check the composition of your personal first-aid kit against the UAE’s list of controlled substances on official websites.
• Don’t waste time looking for “our” pharmacy. There are no specialized “Russian” or “European” pharmacies in Dubai. The pharmaceutical market here is globalized. Instead of searching for a sign in Cyrillic, feel free to walk into any major chain pharmacy (BinSina, Life, Boots) - you’ll find the same international medications from Pfizer, Bayer, or Sanofi that are available worldwide, only in local packaging.

Your health is protected

Pharmacies in Dubai are more than just places where medicines are sold; they are an integral part of the emirate’s world-renowned system of top-notch service and safety. Everything here is designed with your convenience in mind: 24/7 accessibility, impeccable quality, and pharmacists ready to assist you. All you need to do is respect the rules. Strict prescription controls are not mere bureaucracy—they are a measure to protect your health.

So travel through Dubai with confidence. Now you know that if you ever need help, it’s always close at hand, in the nearest pharmacy, sparkling clean and well-stocked. The key is to know the right words and avoid trying to circumvent the law. Then nothing will spoil your vacation.