Out-of-pocket prices in Daugavpils track the national pattern: a standard antibiotic course typically runs EUR 4–12, common antihypertensives EUR 3–8 per month, and a basic OTC analgesic pack EUR 2–5. Insulin and reimbursable chronic-disease medicines are heavily subsidised — patients on the NVD compensated list pay 0%, 25%, or 50% of the reference price depending on diagnosis category, with the balance covered by the National Health Service. Non-residents and travellers without an EHIC card pay full retail. The current reimbursement list and reference prices are maintained by the State Agency of Medicines at zva.gov.lv, which also publishes the official medicines register.

§02Emergencies & out-of-hours care

A duty pharmacy rota covers nights and Sundays — the schedule is posted in every pharmacy window and circulated by the city council, so the nearest closed branch will display the address of the on-call outlet. For acute medical emergencies dial 113 for an ambulance or 112 for the unified emergency number; both are free and answered in Latvian, Russian, and English. Serious cases are taken to Daugavpils Regional Hospital (Daugavpils reģionālā slimnīca) on Vasarnīcu iela, which operates the city's only 24-hour A&E and handles after-hours prescription emergencies referred through ambulance crews.

§03Frequently asked questions

Can I get a prescription filled in Daugavpils with a paper script from another EU country? Yes, cross-border paper prescriptions issued in any EEA country are accepted under EU Directive 2011/24/EU, provided they include the prescriber's full details, the patient's name, and the active substance (not just a brand name). Electronic prescriptions from Estonia, Finland, Croatia, Portugal, and Poland can also be dispensed via the eHealth cross-border service. Bring photo ID. Reimbursement does not transfer — you pay full retail and claim back through your home insurer.

Is Russian spoken in Daugavpils pharmacies? Almost universally. Around 80% of the city speaks Russian as a first or strong second language, and pharmacy staff routinely consult in both Latvian and Russian. English is common in central branches and tourist-adjacent locations but less reliable in suburban outlets, so writing the active ingredient down helps.

Are pharmacies cheaper here than in Riga? Retail prices are regulated nationally and reference prices set by ZVA apply across Latvia, so headline costs are essentially identical. The difference is range — central Riga branches stock a wider selection of imported brands and specialist products, while Daugavpils pharmacies lean on generics and core therapeutic lines.

Where is the nearest 24-hour pharmacy? Daugavpils does not maintain a permanent 24-hour pharmacy. Overnight access is handled through the rotating duty rota; outside those hours, urgent dispensing goes through the Regional Hospital A&E on Vasarnīcu iela.

§04Safety note

This directory is informational only and is not medical advice. For individual clinical decisions, dosing, or interactions, consult a licensed pharmacist or your treating clinician.