Are you a digital nomad, traveler, or expat in Buenos Aires looking for the best pharmacies to meet your healthcare needs?
From modern chains offering a wide range of products and services to historic establishments that transport you to a bygone era, Buenos Aires has a pharmacy for every requirement. In this article, curated by ExpatPathways, discover pharmacies where tradition meets innovation, ensuring your health and wellness are in safe hands.
Whether you’re in need of specialized medication, seeking the charm of a century-old pharmacy, or simply want the convenience of online shopping with delivery options, our guide has got you covered. Join us on a journey through the city’s most reliable pharmacies, where quality care and customer service are always the top priorities.
The Best Pharmacies in Buenos Aires
1. Farmacity
Farmacity, as Argentina’s principal pharmacy chain, is celebrated for its extensive range of products, specialized pharmacy services, and a health-focused business ecosystem that includes beauty, fashion, and healthy food markets.
Its commitment to professional and personalized care, supported by a significant employment of over 600 pharmacists, underscores its pivotal role in Argentina’s healthcare landscape.
With innovative practices and an ethical code at its core, Farmacity prides itself on meeting patient expectations and fostering trust through its expansive network of pharmacies and online platforms.
2. RP
RP Pharmacies, a family-owned business since 1970, stands out for its accessible prices, online shopping benefits, and a strong community-oriented approach.
With a focus on quality service, RP emphasizes professionalism, honesty, and kindness, aiming to make a difference in the lives of its customers.
The chain’s expansion into online retail, including a luxury segment for imported fragrances and premium lines, demonstrates its commitment to catering to diverse customer needs.
3. La Santé
La Santé Pharmacies, with its roots dating back to 1972, has grown into a vanguard company with 21 branches across Buenos Aires. Its growth strategy, centered around professional staff development and technological advancement, aims to provide exemplary pharmaceutical services.
La Santé’s emphasis on online engagement and home delivery services reflects a modern approach to pharmacy care, ensuring convenience and accessibility for all its clients.
Together, these pharmacies not only serve the immediate health needs of Buenos Aires’ populace but also contribute to the overall wellbeing and quality of life in the city.
4. Doctor Ahorro
Doctor Ahorro, a pharmacy chain that prides itself on offering exclusive deals, discounts, and incredible prices, has garnered a loyal customer base since its inception in 2002.
With a focus on generic medications and a “neighborhood marketing” approach, Doctor Ahorro has expanded its presence to around 40 outlets in Buenos Aires City and beyond, including Córdoba, Salta, Mendoza, among other provinces.
The chain’s commitment to quality healthcare is evidenced by its personalized service, the DOC discount card which provides additional savings, and the monthly offers that cater to the diverse needs of its clientele.
5. Farmacias Central Oeste
Farmacias Central Oeste, on the other hand, has its roots deeply embedded in the western part of Buenos Aires Province, with a significant presence in the city center as well.
Born from a family’s dream, this chain has evolved into a network of pharmacies dedicated to the community’s well-being. Emphasizing innovation, professional advice, and a supportive role in crucial moments, Central Oeste offers an array of services including an online store, free shipping, installment plans, and a virtual assistant.
Its philosophy centers around the health and comfort of its customers, ensuring a wide range of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and hygiene products are available.
Central Oeste’s approach to customer service is holistic, treating every visitor not just as a client but as a central part of their community, underscoring their motto that “you are central” to everything they do.
6. Scienza
Scienza, with a robust background as a pharmaceutical provider and distributor of high-complexity medications, marks two decades of significant contributions to the healthcare sector.
Starting with a modest team and evolving into a company with an extensive distribution network, Scienza’s journey from its first pharmacy in Palermo to its expansion into Recoleta and beyond demonstrates its commitment to accessibility and professional healthcare.
The preservation of its historical building as a technological hub reflects Scienza’s respect for heritage while embracing modern advancements. This balance of tradition and innovation is echoed in their services, including home delivery and a mobile app, ensuring they remain at the forefront of patient care.
7. Farmaplus
Farmaplus, with over 60 years in the pharmaceutical field, has cemented its reputation through a commitment to high-quality service and professionalism.
Their strategic partnership with Pedidosfarma expands their online presence, offering an enhanced shopping experience that marries convenience with the expertise found in their physical stores.
Boasting more than 40 branches, Farmaplus ensures a broad reach across Buenos Aires, facilitating easy access to a wide range of medications and healthcare products.
Their dedication to meeting customer needs through a combination of experienced staff, ample stock, and online engagement positions Farmaplus as a pivotal player in the local healthcare ecosystem, driven by a mission to provide solutions that enhance the wellbeing of their community.
8. Openfarma
Openfarma sets itself apart through its dedication to experience, variety, quality, and versatility. With over 10 branches, this chain enhances the pharmaceutical landscape by offering virtual assistance, exclusive deals, a plethora of discounts, and a user-friendly online store.
Openfarma’s approach for over 30 years has been to support clients and patients at every life stage, ensuring medication quality and safety, service excellence, and professional expertise across its extensive network.
This commitment is evident in their personalized service, both in physical stores and online, coupled with flexible shipping and payment options.
9. Farmacias TKL
Farmacias TKL, a family-owned business since 1966, offers free shipping within Buenos Aires City, WhatsApp support, interest-free installments, and a broad catalog online.
Starting with a single pharmacy, the Tekiel family has expanded to 10 branches, emphasizing professionalism and quality service as the foundation of their growth.
This expansion, supported by the incorporation of the second family generation in the 1980s, has positioned Farmacias TKL as one of the country’s most prominent pharmacy networks.
Their unified brand identity since 2000 underscores a commitment to professional healthcare delivery, marking them as a trusted name in the Argentine pharmaceutical industry.
10. Historical and independent pharmacies
Within the vibrant cityscape of Buenos Aires, a unique array of historical and independent pharmacies stands as living museums, each offering a gateway into the city’s rich past alongside conventional pharmaceutical services.
These establishments, unlike the larger chains, maintain a deep connection to their roots, often preserving original furnishings and façades that beckon not just for health-related visits but for a journey through time. Among these, Antigua del Águila Pharmacy, Suiza Pharmacy, and La Estrella Pharmacy are particularly noteworthy, each with its own story and legacy.
Antigua del Águila Pharmacy
Antigua del Águila Pharmacy, cherished for its museum-like ambiance, offers both a visual delight and cordial service, making every visit a delightful experience beyond mere shopping.
Established in 1895, it has served the community for over a century from its location at Corrientes and Julián Alvarez. Its preservation of early 20th-century furniture and decorations, alongside its practice of preparing traditional remedies, invites customers into a different era.
Suiza Pharmacy
Suiza Pharmacy, another gem located at the corner of Tucumán and Maipú since 1890, showcases Art Nouveau architecture and serves as a testament to Buenos Aires’ historical architectural richness.
Its proximity to the Plaza de Mayo reinforces the halo of history that surrounds this iconic Buenos Aires pharmacy.
La Estrella Pharmacy
La Estrella Pharmacy, the oldest pharmacy in Buenos Aires, continues to operate from its premises on Alsina and Defensa. Opened in 1838, it not only offers a glimpse into pharmaceutical practices of the past but also stands as a symbol of the city’s commercial heritage, with its Italian walnut counters and mosaic floors.
These pharmacies not only fulfill the health needs of the city’s residents but also protect and share the cultural and historical heritage of Buenos Aires, making them indispensable treasures of the urban landscape.
(Featured Image Source: Dima Mukhin/unsplash.com)
