Pharmacies in Bali for English speakers

Pharmacies (apotek) are scattered across Bali's tourist areas. Guardian and Kimia Farma are the two chains you'll see most. The bigger ones in Kuta, Seminyak, and Denpasar carry a wide range of medications. In Ubud and Canggu, options are more limited but basics are covered. Pharmacists can advise you on minor problems.

Medications are cheap. Common painkillers, cold medicine, children's paracetamol, and ORS packets cost very little. Take antibiotics only when a doctor prescribes them. Imported Western medications are pricier but still reasonable.

The Guardian pharmacy inside Beachwalk Mall in Kuta is well stocked. For Seminyak, the Kimia Farma on Jalan Laksmana has a good selection. In Ubud, the pharmacies on Jalan Raya Ubud cover the basics. One thing to be aware of in Bali: counterfeit medications have been reported at very small, unbranded shops. Stick to the named chains like Guardian, Kimia Farma, or Century. If you need something specific that you can't find, the BIMC Hospital pharmacy in Kuta has a wide selection and fills prescriptions from their doctors.

English is decent at Guardian and the pharmacies in main tourist areas. At Kimia Farma and smaller shops, it varies. Generic drug names work best.

Most pharmacies stock basic children's medications like paracetamol syrup (Panadol), oral rehydration salts, and anti-itch cream for mosquito bites. Baby formula and diapers are more reliably found at supermarkets like Pepito or Hardy's than at pharmacies.