On-call pharmacy in Geneva: finding a pharmacy open on Sunday or at night

How does the on-call pharmacy system work in Geneva?

Most neighbourhood pharmacies in Geneva, including ours, close in the evening, on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday. To make sure medicines are always available, Geneva pharmacies take turns providing an on-call service (pharmacie de garde in French). The rota changes every week and is published on the PharmaGenève website, with the name, address, phone number and opening hours of the pharmacy on duty. On-call pharmacies are open from 08:00 to 23:00, including Sundays and public holidays. Note that the hospital pharmacy of the HUG does not serve the public.

• Check the official rota: pharmageneve.swiss – pharmacie de garde.
• Need a pharmacy at night? Pharma24, Boulevard de la Cluse 38, 1205 Geneva, near the HUG, is open round the clock: +41 22 808 00 18.
• Call before you go to check that the medicine you need is in stock.
• Bring your prescription, your insurance card and the packaging of any medicine you already take.

An on-call or night surcharge may be added to the price of medicines dispensed outside normal opening hours. Pharmacies at the main railway stations and the airport also tend to have longer opening hours; check their hours directly.

Our opening hours in Cologny

Day	Pharmacie de Cologny	When we are closed
Monday to Friday	08:00–12:30 and 14:00–18:30	On-call pharmacy (rota) or Pharma24
Saturday	08:00–12:30	On-call pharmacy (rota) or Pharma24
Sunday and public holidays	Closed	On-call pharmacy (rota) or Pharma24

Planning ahead avoids most Sunday emergencies. Before a weekend or holidays, check that you have enough of your regular treatment, send us your prescription in advance through our online prescription form, or ask for home delivery on Saturday morning.

Pharmacy, doctor or emergency department?

Situation	Who to contact
Life-threatening emergency: chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness	144 (ambulance), or 112
Poisoning or suspected overdose, including in children	145 (Tox Info Suisse, 24/7)
Not sure where to go, or need a doctor out of hours	Centrale Santé Genève, 0800 116 117 (free, 24/7): advice and referral to the right service
Urgent but not life-threatening problem (high fever, injury, ear infection)	Your doctor, an urgent care centre or the HUG emergency department
Sick child, out of hours	Paediatricians’ on-call line, 0844 022 022; HUG paediatric emergency department
Unable to travel to see a doctor	A home-visit doctor service: SOS Médecins (+41 22 748 49 50) or Genève Médecins (+41 22 754 54 54)
Minor problem, missing medicine, advice on what to take	The on-call pharmacy or Pharma24

Tips for expats in Geneva

• Save 144, 145 and the Centrale Santé number 0800 116 117 in your phone, along with your doctor’s number and your insurance policy number.
• In Switzerland, painkillers and cold remedies are not sold in supermarkets: keep a small stock of basics at home. Our travel health page lists what a good first-aid kit contains.
• Many Geneva doctors have a recorded message out of hours that tells you which colleague or service is on call.
• Emergency treatment is covered by your basic health insurance, subject to your deductible and co-payment.

Frequently asked questions

Which pharmacy is open on Sunday in Geneva?

A pharmacy is on duty each week from 08:00 to 23:00, according to a rota published by PharmaGenève on pharmageneve.swiss. Pharma24, near the HUG, is also open every day, 24 hours a day.

Is there a 24-hour pharmacy in Geneva?

Yes. Pharma24, Boulevard de la Cluse 38, near the University Hospitals of Geneva, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone: +41 22 808 00 18.

Can I get a prescription medicine at night without a prescription?

No, prescription-only medicines still require a prescription at night. For some medicines, a pharmacist may dispense a small quantity after a consultation where the law allows it. Otherwise, you need to see a doctor first.

Is it more expensive to buy medicines from the on-call pharmacy?

An on-call or night supplement may be charged outside normal opening hours. The price of the medicine itself is the same.

What number do I call for a medical emergency in Geneva?

Call 144 for an ambulance. 112, the European emergency number, also works in Switzerland. For poisoning, call 145 (Tox Info Suisse). If it is not life-threatening and you do not know where to go, call Centrale Santé Genève on 0800 116 117, free of charge, 24 hours a day.