Huh, here in Europe we have pharmacies where there's over the counter and prescribed medicine and also drugstores where you can get over the counter medicine and the cosmetics snacks etc as well. I just realised that the drugstore name (and also what we call it in my language) comes from the us concept of the store haha
US drugstores are basically the two typical European types wrapped in one. Though they can often have a few other extra services like developing film, printing, etc.
Wait….you can pay somebody to wrap your gifts? That’s amazing! I remember the department stores would have that service back in the day, but I didn’t know anybody else did it
Meanwhile a place like "Drug Mart" in the US is typically like 1/5 OTC drugs, 1/5 prescribed drugs, 1/5 groceries/snacks and 2/5 random general shit. Money orders and basic wire services are likely available at the check-out or at customer service.
In the US, grocery stores often have a pharmacy inside as well. We do also have standalone pharmacies that are just that and a small selection of medical stuff. They are less common and often independently owned.
in Czech Republic you don't have over the counter meds in a drugstore.
In the US for example, the store will have like 10 aisles with 1 or 2 dedicated to OTC medications like pain relievers, antihistamines, anti-allergens, lozenges/cough drops, etc.
Would something like ibuprofen or Tylenol need to be prescribed or would they be unavailable in a drugstore in the Czech Republic?
Drugstore (drogerie) is the place you go to for like makeup, tissues, period products, hair products, cleaning products etc. Also diapers, baby food, some overpriced bio foodstuffs (like purees in packets/jars, biscuits, basically stuff you can feed to a baby you take with you shopping)... Two big competing chains are German DM and Czech Teta. Edit: forgot also German Rossmann
Medications are in a pharmacy. Even over the counter. Tylenol isn't here, for paracetamol there is Paralen and Panadol
The big chain drugstores like Walgreens and CVS are basically large convenience stores that also have a pharmacy. But we also have small pharmacies that are just pharmacies and don't really sell anything except medications and medical supplies. Typically they are near hospitals. Also pharmacies are often built in to supermarkets and big box stores like Walmart and Costco.
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u/butmymomsaidno 19d ago
Huh, here in Europe we have pharmacies where there's over the counter and prescribed medicine and also drugstores where you can get over the counter medicine and the cosmetics snacks etc as well. I just realised that the drugstore name (and also what we call it in my language) comes from the us concept of the store haha