Regular pharmacies in Turkey are open roughly 9:00–19:00 and closed on Sundays. Outside those hours, at least one pharmacy stays on duty in every district.

What does “nöbetçi” mean on a pharmacy door?

In Turkey, one or more pharmacies in every district stay open through the night and on public holidays on a rotating schedule called nöbetçi. The roster changes daily at 9am and is posted by the local chamber of pharmacists.

How often does the on-duty roster change?

The roster is reassigned daily at 9am local time and published by the local chamber of pharmacists, so the on-duty pharmacy can differ from yesterday even in the same district.

Do on-duty pharmacies charge more at night?

No — nöbetçi pharmacies sell at the same regulated prices as during the day; there is no night surcharge on medicines.

What should I bring when visiting a night pharmacy?

Bring your prescription if you have one, an ID, and cash or card — most on-duty pharmacies accept card payment, but it is safer to carry some cash after hours.

Why are pharmacy names and addresses in Turkish?

So they match the sign on the pharmacy door and the street signs. Show the address to a taxi driver as it is — a translated one would be harder for them to find.