Medicines register now shows drug availability in pharmacies

The State Agency of Medicines (ZVA) has improved the Medicines Register to help residents find out whether a specific medicine is available in pharmacies. A green check mark now appears next to medicines that can be purchased in at least one pharmacy.

To check availability, users must click on the medicine name and open the section “Medicine packages”. Clicking on the number of packages opens a search window where one can specify the city or municipality where the purchase is planned. More detailed searches can be continued on pharmacy websites.

At present, information is provided by five pharmacy chains: “Apotheka”, “BENU Aptieka”, “Euroaptieka”, “Latvijas aptieka” and “Mēness aptieka”. The data is updated once a day. According to Cabinet Regulation No. 416, owners of large pharmacies have to publish such information since 1 July of this year.

ZVA director Indra Dreika said that the possibility to quickly find out whether the required medicine is available is important for every patient. The register also allows checking the price and the number of available packages. ZVA recommends checking the latest information before visiting a pharmacy, especially when rare or specific medicines are needed.

The Medicines Register is an official and reliable source of information about all medicines registered in Latvia. It includes medicine instructions, maximum allowable prices, information on availability in wholesale and pharmacy networks, and a tool for searching alternatives. The register is available on the ZVA website at www.zva.gov.lv under “Zāļu reģistrs” and at dati.zva.gov.lv/zalu-registrs/lv.

The website also offers a pharmacy map that helps users find the nearest pharmacy by name, city, street or address. Each pharmacy entry shows the address, phone number and other details. The map can be used to find 24-hour pharmacies, as well as pharmacies selling veterinary medicines or preparing medicines on site.

If a red cross is displayed next to a medicine, it means the product is not available in pharmacies or wholesalers. In such cases, ZVA advises consulting a doctor or pharmacist about possible alternatives. Unavailable medicines can be reported on the ZVA website by choosing “Medicine supply disruptions and export restrictions” and then “Report a medicine supply disruption”.