Pharmacies in Costa Rica: Surprise!

You know how it's so convenient to pick up milk, bread, shampoo, aspirin, and your prescription all in one place?

Well, it ain't so if you're an expat in Costa Rica.

Those ridiculous little shampoo bottles they let you bring on the plane last about two washes, and things are different here, so it's good to have a heads-up as a first-time visitor with dirty hair.




In Costa Rica, most toiletries and cosmetics aren't sold at the "regular" market, so you must get them at the farmacia (pharmacy).

A typical farmacia is small, with most items behind a glass counter.

You won't find a million of everything there.

There are only a few different brands of each item - but you can almost always find something you recognize.  It will cost twice as much, though, because imports are heavily taxed.

Local brands cost less, and work quite nicely.  So far, I've tried shampoo, lotion, hair gel, soap, and toothpaste with great results.

Cream for hands and body.  Looks like cream of Kermit the Frog, but I like it.

Over-the-counter medicine is where it started getting a little weird, because I'm used to buying Giant Bottles of Everything at the warehouse store.

OTCs like acetaminophen or antihistamines are all Behind The Counter here, and they aren't sold in bottles.  They're sold in onesies and twosies.

Like this:

Me: Tengo dolor en me estomago?
Her: Drink this every eighth hours with water.

Even if your Spanish is weak, like mine, the pharmacist is pretty adept at figuring out what you need,  how much you need, and makes sure you know exactly how to take it.  And since you only buy the exact amount you actually need, you won't end up with an expired bottle of *whatever* taking up valuable bathroom space.

Here's what really threw me for a loop, though: Lots of things that are prescription only in the USA are available without a prescription in Costa Rica - you just ask.

Hello, cheap Retin-A, come to Mama!

Pharmacists in Costa Rica have quite a bit more discretion when it comes to dispensing medication than their counterparts in the USA.  They are highly qualified and able to recommend and provide a wide variety of medicines, with the exception of controlled substances and narcotic painkillers.  Many farmacias even have doctor/as on-site if a more detailed consultation is needed.

WHO KNEW?!

In Cobano, I started having symptoms of a semi-chronic problem, and the on-site doctora with the farmacia saw me right away.  She spoke perfect English, and --get this-- was EXTREMELY KIND and respectful!  (Husband: You mean doctors in Costa Rica aren't assholes?!?!? Me: Pendejos, baby. You need to work on your Spanish cussing.)  She had me fixed up and on my way in 10 minutes - because she believed me when I told her exactly what was wrong, unlike what happens in the states.  If doctors in the USA conducted themselves with that much kindness and competence, I wouldn't have to be dragged in there kicking and screaming, bleeding from every orifice.

No wonder Costa Ricans have longer life expectancies.

And if I look younger next time you see me, you'll know why.