Wondering about the cost & availability of prescription and over-the-counter medications in Panama? Get a FREE REPORT on the 50 most common medications prescribed and what they cost in Panama. See details at the bottom of the page.
We compiled a list of the 50 most prescribed medications in the United States and researched their price and availability in Panama. Subscribe below to get the FREE REPORT.
To determine if the drug you need is available and what it costs, check prices at
Farma Value or Arrocha.
Private hospital pharmacies have the largest selection of medications and usually much better prices than private pharmacies. However, you cannot search their inventory online. You must go in to or call the pharmacy (and you will need to speak Spanish).
It’s important to mention that availability changes constantly. We’ve learned there are many reasons for this, sometimes due to changes in what the health department allows and sometimes due to a lack of supply from pharmaceutical companies.
In Panama, you don’t need a prescription for most medications, and the prices are usually less than in the United States.
For example, Lisinopril (brand names Prinivil & Zestril), which is used in the treatment of high blood pressure is available over-the-counter and sells for $11.56 in Panama. The same dose and quantity in the United States costs approximately $15.40 to $17.36 – over 33% more.
Metformin (brand names Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza, Riomet), a drug used to treat diabetes, sells for $7.25 in Panama. It’s also available over the counter. (No prescription is needed.) The same dose and quantity in the United States typically costs 160% more—$19.20.
Not all drugs cost less in Panama – Venlafaxine (brand name Effexor), which is used to treat depression and anxiety, can cost 700% more in Panama.
Anti-viral medications like Ivermectin are readily available over the counter. No prescription is needed. It’s about $24 for a box of 24 pills.
Some good news: If you have a Panama pensionado residency visa or if you have any residency visa and are 55+ for women or 60+ for men, you will receive a 10% discount on medications in Panama. Some pharmacies offer a 20% discount on certain days of the week.
If you take prescription medications, it’s a good idea to research their cost & availability before you move to Panama. If your medications cost more in Panama, you may be able to get a prescription sent to Amazon pharmacy then get the medications shipped to Panama.
FREE REPORT: 50 Most Common Medications and Their Costs in Panama
To get our full report on medications in Panama, enter your email address in the box below. When you do, we’ll email you the report. You’ll also be subscribed to our email newsletter to get other tips about moving to Panama.
Jennings Cynthia says
Hi Jackie, I take Metformin, but I order my 90 day supply from the US (Amazon) for $17. Otherwise, when I purchase it in Boquete, I paid $1.50 per pill for a 30 day supply, which is quite a bit higher. So for a 90 day supply it would cost $135. Wish we could get Armour Thyroid here!! It’s super expensive in the US but the synthetic formulations are horrible for the body. Thanks!
Jackie Lange says
Metformin is only 24 cents a pill at the pharmacies we contacted. That’s a huge difference. You should check prices with other pharmacies. Remember, hospital pharmacies are often much more affordable.
Wade says
We are flying to pty Sunday, then off to David, any chance of getting the names of inexpensive pharmacy’s. My wife takes the armour thyroid. We might have to have it shipped in from Miami.
Jackie Lange says
see the list of sources on the report of the top 10 medications.
Sheryl GRIFFITHS says
Hi Jackie,
Do you have cyprolex on your list?
Jackie Lange says
you can see the complete list at https://panamarelocationtours.com/drugs
Brenda Morrow says
Hi Jackie, I didn’t see Epi-pens/auto injectors on the list (for anaphylaxis allergy reactions)?
Jackie Lange says
the list is only the top 50 medications prescribed, not ALL medications in Panama.
You can contact Arrocha, the largest pharmacy to check on particular meds. https://arrocha.com/
Rafael says
Hi Jackie can I get trelegy ellipta inhaler or breztri inhaler for Copd and how can I get it thru an insurance with a co pay, I’ll be in panama in august For 3 to 6 months and I’ll be getting your online guide but I cannot be without the inhaler I’m just traveling and exploring to see where am I going to live by the beach or boquete and hopefully sometime I can meet you personally you are a wonderful and helpful lady. Thank you
Jackie Lange says
You may be able to get your inhalers mailed to Panama using a mail forwarding service. You would not be able to get health insurance in Panama for COPD and most Panama health insurance does not cover medications. Some people have breathing problems at the higher elevations so you need to be careful when you come to Panama.
steven d says
the dr at the local clinic wrote me a prescription for a inhaler. $13.20 plus $10 office visit. maybe they will use the link you shared. thank you for sharing your knowledge about panama.
Anastasia says
Hi there. Is advagraf available in Panama? It’s quiet pricey in Canada. Would you by any chance have any information?
Jackie Lange says
you would need to call a pharmacy in Panama to determine if it is available Try Arrocha.com
Kevin Dwight Dobson says
Was able to check the list and find that the prescription drugs I’m on are available except the vitamin d3 25mcg. I’ll continue to check. Thank you so much for this information 🙏.
Jackie Lange says
Kevin, Vitamin D3 is available but I don’t know if they have 25mg. I’ve seen 100, 500, 1000, and 5000MG at pharmacies
Roger Nair says
How much is a 90 day supply of eliquis
Jackie Lange says
You will need to call a Panama pharmacy to get the price of the medications or look at the free report for prices.
Darrell Bowers says
Can you tell me what the cost of Ozempic insulin is in Panama?
Thank you!
Jackie Lange says
you would need to call a Panama pharmacy to get the price of drugs. The two biggest pharmacies are Arrocha and REvilla.
Vaughn Gaston says
I have disc / vertebra issues with neck as well my back. My Doctor placed me with pain management and periodically I am given injections both neck and back. He also subscribed hydro codeine. What is the cost of hydro codeine and the injections?
Jackie Lange says
Vaughn, I don’t know if hydrocodeine injections are available in Panama. You’d need to contact a doctor to find out if it’s available and what it costs. Contact
[Name] Juan Luis Carbone Picard-Ami, MD
[Mobile] +507 6496-6166
(Office) 507-204-8329
(Email) – [email protected]
He can do telemedicine or you can make an appointment to see him at his office in Pacific Salud (Johns Hopkins hospital).
He speaks perfect English.
Peter Yannacone says
Can I get a drug called Jakafi for my Myleo Fibrosis in Panama
Jackie Lange says
check availability and price at https://www.farmapana.com/
John Baldwin says
Hi Jackie,
Thank you for sending your list of medications available in Panama. I did not see Eliquis (apixaban) on the list. This is a very common blood thinner widely used for heart conditions such atrial fibrillation. Is there anyway I can find out if it is available in Panama even though it is not on your list. Thank you for your help.
Jackie Lange says
Eliquis is available at some pharmacies. See these prices —
Eliquis 2.5 mg 60 tabletas recubiertas $81.58
Eliquis 5 mg 60 tabletas recubiertas $75.90
Cassie says
Hi Jackie,
Do you know if tamoxifen, a drug used for breast cancer treatment, is readily available in Panama and what the cost might be?
Thank you,
Cassie
Jackie Lange says
I do not know if it is available. You could set up a $35 telemedicine consultation with a Panama doctor to find out. go to http://www.ExpatHealthServices.com
Charisse Sisselman says
Can you buy wygovy or ozempic in Panama without a prescription and the cost if so
Jackie Lange says
Hello. I don’t know if those drugs are available or if you can get them without a script. You can check availability and price at https://www.pricelisto.com/menu-prices/farmavalue-pa
Mitsuhiro Tsuchida says
Hello, Can we buy a Diamox(Acetazolamide) for attitude sickenss without prescription in Panama City?
Thank you very much
Jackie Lange says
you can check availability and price for drugs at https://www.pricelisto.com/menu-prices/farmavalue-pa
Herold says
Hey Jackie,
Can I fill my adhd meds there? I take adderall
Jackie Lange says
Herold, you would need to contact a pharmacy to see if your medications are available. The biggest pharmacy is Arrocha.com or you can contact expathealthservices.com to set up a telemedicine appointment.
Fred Quinn says
Hi Jackie,
Please clarify for me that one of the least expensive places to buy Meds in Panama is from the Pharmacy in a Public Hospital? You mentioned in one of your videos that they will only fill prescriptions that were written by one of the Doctors at that hospital. So even if the medications do not require a prescription in Panama you need to have a prescription (or some kind of Doctor’s order) from one of their Doctors to purchase medications at a Public Hospital Pharmacy?
Many Thanks, Fred
Jackie Lange says
Fred, it’s $2 to see a doctor at a public hospital. private hospitals also have good med prices and you may not need a prescription for many meds.
John says
Hi Jackie,
You mentioned a private and public hospital pharmacy, any chance you would a name and a phone number of a public pharmacy and a private pharmacy that I could call to check on some prices. I checked a few of the websites you recommended but just wanted to check these other places.
Many Thanks,
John
Jackie Lange says
John, see the two links in the article of a pharmacy where you can check prices of meds.
Zo Pak says
Hi Jackie,
Is Adderall prescribed in Panama? If not, what are the alternatives?
Jackie Lange says
Zo, see the link to two websites in the article to check the availability of drugs. if it’s not available, you will need to contact a Panama doctor for an alternative
Anasthasie Cantrell says
Dood day Ms. Jackie.
Would Benicar be available? I think the generic is Olmesartan.
Thank you so much.
Jackie Lange says
hello Anasthasie, click on the Farma Value links in the article to determine if that medication is available and what it costs.
Joe R. says
Hi Jackie,
I’m thinking about the telehealth call with Expat Health. Will the doctor be looking for a medical history form or should I have access to my medical records etc? I’m wondering how comprehensive the discussion will be. I can sometimes be difficult to medical history with a physician.
Jackie Lange says
Hi Joe. I do not recommend expat health. You can get excellent service and a thorough consultation with
[Name] Juan Luis Carbone Picard-Ami, MD
[Mobile] +507 6496-6166
(Office) 507-204-8329
(Email) – [email protected]
He can do telemedicine or you can make an appointment to see him at his office in Pacific Salud (Johns Hopkins hospital).
He speaks perfect English.
He’s glad to answer your questions via email too.
If necessary, he can make recommendations to specialists in Panama too!
Lyle ford says
Good morning I’m visiting panama do you know if I can by ozempic here and if so what is the process?
Jackie Lange says
Hello Lyle. In the article, there is a link to a pharmacy where you can check the availability and price of medications. Most medications do not require a prescription
Victoria Thibeau says
Hi. Is it fairly easy to get MS drugs (aubagio, osrevus, etc) in Panama? MS drug’s are generally very expensive. Is that the case in Panama?
Jackie Lange says
see the link in the article for ARROCHA, it’s a pharmacy. You can check the availability and price of your medications there.
Carlos says
How about rosuvastatin
Jackie Lange says
Carlos, There is a link to two pharmacies in the article. You can look up the medication there to see if it’s available and what it costs.
Terry Jordan says
I take 2 meds on this list that are not available there. I have Kaiser insurance in the US. They won’t mail them to me. What are my options?
Thx.
Jackie Lange says
Terry It’s possible the meds are only available at a hospital pharmacy. You can hire [email protected] to research if the hospitals have your meds. Plan B is to get a doctor in the US to send the script to Amazon Pharmacy so they can be shipped to Panama.