§01Pricing & coverage

Over-the-counter analgesics such as ibuprofen 400 mg (20 tablets) typically run €2–€4, while a standard course of generic amoxicillin sits around €4–€7 and a month of generic atorvastatin €5–€9. Reimbursed prescription medicines on the NVD compensation list are dispensed at 50%, 75% or 100% of the reference price depending on diagnosis, with the patient paying a €0.71 dispensing fee per item. Pensioners and children under 18 receive enhanced coverage on chronic-disease categories. Pricing is regulated nationally and audited by the State Agency of Medicines (ZVA); branch-to-branch variation in Jekabpils is minimal because all seven counters operate under the same reference-price ceilings.

§02Emergencies & out-of-hours care

Latvia does not require every community pharmacy to keep a 24-hour rota, and Jekabpils is no exception — none of the seven counters trade through the night. After roughly 21:00 and on public holidays, urgent medicines are obtained through the emergency department of Jēkabpils Regional Hospital on Andreja Pormaļa iela, which holds a limited in-house stock for inpatients and acute prescriptions. For any life-threatening symptom — chest pain, stroke signs, anaphylaxis, severe bleeding — call 113 for the ambulance service (NMPD) or the European-standard 112, both of which dispatch from the regional control centre.

§03Frequently asked questions

Can I use a prescription issued elsewhere in the EU at a Jekabpils pharmacy?

Yes. Latvia accepts cross-border paper prescriptions that meet the EU Directive 2011/24 format, and the national e-prescription system also recognises e-recipes issued in Estonia, Finland, Croatia, Portugal and Poland through the MyHealth@EU network. Bring photo ID. NVD reimbursement, however, applies only to prescriptions issued by a Latvia-registered prescriber; cross-border scripts are dispensed at full private price.

Do Jekabpils pharmacies stock English-language packaging?

Inserts are in Latvian by law, although the active substance, dosage and barcode are internationally standardised. Pharmacists in chain branches such as Mēness and Benu generally speak conversational English and Russian; the latter is more reliable in older staff. Ask for the substance name (e.g. "paracetamol") rather than a brand familiar from home.

Is Sunday opening guaranteed?

No. Most Jekabpils pharmacies open Monday to Saturday, with at least one chain branch — usually the Mēness counter inside a Maxima or Rimi — keeping reduced Sunday hours that follow the host supermarket's schedule. Verify on the directory listing before travelling, especially around national holidays such as Jāņi (23–24 June).

Are controlled medicines (opioids, ADHD stimulants) easy to obtain?

Schedule II–III medicines require a special pink prescription form from a Latvia-licensed physician and are dispensed only at counters holding a narcotics licence. Not every Jekabpils pharmacy carries the full range; phone ahead. Travellers carrying personal supplies should hold a Schengen Article 75 certificate.

Where is the nearest 24-hour pharmacy if I need one overnight?

There is no round-the-clock pharmacy in Jekabpils itself. The closest reliable 24-hour counters are in Daugavpils (roughly 90 km south-east) and Riga (140 km north-west). For genuine emergencies, the hospital pharmacy at Jēkabpils Regional Hospital handles acute in-house dispensing.

§04Safety note

This directory is informational only and is not medical advice; for any individual clinical decision, consult a licensed pharmacist or your treating physician in person.