Spanish habits around antibiotics, remedies and leftover medicines

Key rules

• Antibiotics: You need a prescription, and pharmacies must refuse to sell them without one.
• Minor ailments: Describe your symptoms to the pharmacist, who can recommend an over-the-counter remedy.
• Leftover medicines: Take them to the SIGRE container in any pharmacy, never the bin or the drain.
• Needles and thermometers: These are not accepted at SIGRE points; use a sharps container or a punto limpio.

The pharmacist is your first stop for minor ailments

In Spain, people often go to the pharmacy before the doctor for colds, aches and small complaints. Describe your symptoms at the counter and the pharmacist will suggest something. Self-medication is common, mostly with pain relievers, anti-inflammatories and cold remedies.

Queue and wait your turn. A greeting when you reach the counter is normal. Tell the pharmacist about any allergies and any other medicines you take, because they will usually ask.

Antibiotics are the exception

Antibiotics need a prescription, and pharmacies must refuse to sell them without one. This applies to residents and visitors alike. Do not ask for them over the counter, and do not expect a pharmacist to bend the rule.

Most prescriptions are electronic (receta electrónica). Your doctor issues it, and the pharmacy can see it on your health card. If you think you need an antibiotic, see a doctor. Some creams and other topical products are classed differently from pills, so ask the pharmacist about a specific product.

Leftover and expired medicines do not go in the bin

Take them to a pharmacy. Almost every pharmacy has a SIGRE container (Punto SIGRE) and displays the SIGRE logo. Put the medicines in the container.

Do not throw medicines in the household bin or down the drain.

What goes in

• Leftover or expired medicines in any form: pills, syrups, creams, drops and sachets.
• Empty blisters and bottles.

Boxes and leaflets can go in the paper recycling bin.

What stays out

Syringes, needles, thermometers, X-rays, gauze and dressings, cosmetics and batteries do not go in the container. Needles go in a sharps container or to your local recycling centre (punto limpio). Rules for sharps vary by region, and some regions run return schemes through pharmacies, so ask at your pharmacy. Mercury thermometers also go to a punto limpio.

The checklist, warnings and questions below cover the practical steps.

Checklist

• Describe your symptoms to the pharmacist for minor ailments and ask what they recommend.

• Look for the SIGRE logo at any pharmacy and place the medicines in the SIGRE container.

• Keep leftover medicines out of the household bin and the drain.

Check with your pharmacist how local habits and counter etiquette work where you live.

What to watch out for

• Antibiotics without a prescription: Pharmacies must refuse antibiotics without a prescription, and selling them that way is illegal, even though self-medication is common in Spain. Do not expect or ask for them at the counter. See a doctor and use the electronic prescription (receta electrónica) at the pharmacy.

• Wrong items in the SIGRE container: Syringes, needles, thermometers, gauze, dressings, cosmetics and batteries do not belong in the SIGRE container. Take needles to a sharps container or the local punto limpio, and mercury thermometers to a punto limpio.

• Medicines in the bin or drain: Leftover or expired medicines thrown in the household bin or down the drain harm the environment. Take them to the SIGRE container in any pharmacy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just describe my symptoms to a pharmacist and get something?

Yes, you can describe minor symptoms at the counter and the pharmacist will recommend something, as long as it does not need a prescription. This is normal in Spain for pain relief, anti-inflammatories and cold remedies. Expect questions about allergies and other medicines you take.

Are creams and other topical antibiotics treated the same as pills?

No, some topical products are classed differently from antibiotics you swallow, so the rule is not identical for every product. Ask the pharmacist whether a specific cream needs a prescription. Pills and syrups for infections do need one.

Does a SIGRE point take syringes, needles or thermometers?

No, a SIGRE point does not take syringes, needles, thermometers, gauze or dressings. Needles go to a sharps container or the local punto limpio (a municipal recycling point), and mercury thermometers go to a punto limpio.

Can I put empty blisters and bottles in the SIGRE container?

Yes, empty blisters and bottles can go in the SIGRE container along with leftover medicines.