How the On-Duty Pharmacy System Works in Cyprus
In Cyprus, at least one pharmacy in every district is required to stay open outside normal business hours every single day — including nights, Sundays, and public holidays. This is the διημερεύον ("on-duty") pharmacy system, and it's the reason this site exists: to make the official roster instantly checkable.
Who decides which pharmacy is on duty?
The Cyprus Pharmacy Board, together with the Cyprus Pharmaceutical Association (Παγκύπριος Φαρμακευτικός Σύλλογος), compiles a rotation roster covering all licensed pharmacies in a district. The roster is published by the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health roughly every two months, several weeks in advance, so pharmacies can plan ahead. Coverage rotates so that, over time, every pharmacy in the district takes its turn.
What are the legal duty hours?
On-duty hours are fixed by law (Κ.Δ.Π. 210/2022, 335/2024, 51/2026) and don't vary pharmacy to pharmacy:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 13:30–16:00 and again 19:30–23:00
- Wednesday and Saturday: continuously 13:30–23:00
- Sunday and public holidays: 08:00–23:00
- 23:00–08:00 every night: the pharmacy itself is closed, but the pharmacist remains reachable by phone to dispense prescriptions — the number is displayed in a lit sign in the pharmacy's window
How do I find who's on duty right now?
Use the district pages on this site — each one shows today's on-duty pharmacies for that area, sorted by distance if you share your location, with phone numbers and directions. The list updates automatically from the official Ministry of Health publication throughout the day.
Is the roster ever wrong or out of date?
Occasionally, yes — last-minute substitutions happen (illness, emergencies), and there can be a delay between an official correction and this site's next automatic refresh. Always call ahead before travelling, especially late at night.
Do I need an appointment to visit an on-duty pharmacy?
No. On-duty pharmacies operate as normal walk-in pharmacies during their posted hours — no appointment needed. After 23:00, phone first.
Does the on-duty pharmacy sell everything a normal pharmacy does?
Yes, on-duty pharmacies are fully stocked, licensed pharmacies — not a reduced emergency-only service. The only difference is they're required to be open when others aren't.