Save the Address of the Nearest Pharmacy
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Most travellers know where their hotel is. Fewer know where the nearest pharmacy is.
It is not the most exciting detail to research before a holiday, but spending five minutes finding one near your accommodation can be surprisingly useful. You may need something as simple as a cold remedy, plasters, insect bite treatment, or basic toiletries, and knowing where to go saves you from searching while you are already feeling unwell.
Start by looking at a map around your accommodation. Save the name and address of one or two nearby pharmacies, rather than relying on memory. If your destination uses a language you do not speak, save the local name as well.
Opening hours are worth noting too. A pharmacy that is convenient at lunchtime may not be much help if you need something late at night. Some destinations have pharmacies that operate extended hours or provide information about an after-hours service.
It is also useful to know that the word “pharmacy” does not necessarily mean exactly the same thing everywhere. In some countries, pharmacies can provide advice and medicines that would require a prescription in New Zealand. In others, particular medicines may be restricted or sold under different names.
If you take regular prescription medicines, do not assume that you will be able to replace them easily overseas. Bring enough for your trip and keep them in their original packaging. If you are unsure about travelling with a particular medicine, check the rules for your destination before leaving.
A pharmacy can also be a useful place to ask about minor, everyday problems. But if you develop serious symptoms or feel significantly unwell, seek appropriate medical care rather than relying on over-the-counter treatment.
This is one of those small pieces of travel preparation you may never need. That is precisely why it is worth doing before you leave. Once you have saved the address, you can forget about it until you need it.
And if you never do, you have lost only five minutes of your holiday-planning time.
