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Gripex Max-my favo Ukrainian cold medicine
the pharmacy just to the left of McDonalds
sunset over the Art Bay
Sevastopol harbor excursionsFinding a pharmacy & over the counter medicine
Just a heads up for travelers. In Sevastopol (and across Ukraine as well) non-perscription medicines are NOT available at grocery stores. You will need to stop by a dedicated pharmacy, pronounced "apteka" in Russian. If you are familiar enough with the Russian language and can read the cyrilic it will be easy to find one of the myriad of pharmacies that are practically on every other corner.
The first time I took my wife to Ukraine, we flew to Kiev straight from Kenya. Following our African adventure she was in need of some over the counter medicine and I didn't know enough Russian to find her what she needed. She suffered through the trip until we got back to the States. Hopefully this will prevent anything similar from happening to you!
If you have a phrase book use it to ask any passerby where the nearest pharmacy is and they should be able to point you in the right direction. Don't have a phrase book? Try this easy to carry and use Rough Guide Russian phrase book! Since the topic today is pharmacies/medicine I'm glad to say most phrase books including my recommendation above have a "medical" section that you can use once you find the pharmacy.
Nearly all pharmacies are denoted by a green cross and green block font for the Russian word "аптека" above the entrance.
The most centrally located pharmacy for visitors near the waterfront or downtown/center area is on Nakhimov Street in between Hotel Sevastopol and McDonalds - right where the bus stop happens to be. (pictured right). There is also one immediately to the left of McDonalds if you are facing the front door (pictured above).
If you have a cold symptoms, sore throat or fever try Gripex Max (pictured left) - taking one or two every 12 hours, has worked for me incredibly well, so much so that I actually have carried them with me BACK to the States :-) However, I have no idea what is in them so I can't guarantee your experience.
Something of note - many prescription strength drugs are available over the counter with no doctors visit or prescription needed. Just explain your condition and if the pharmacy carries it they shouldn't have any objection to selling it to you.
Of course, the Ukrainian medical culture is quite different than what most Westerners will be familiar with and they do not carry western brand medications (that I have seen anyway). So don't bother asking for a specific brand - just ask for the condition/symptoms you need treated.
If you want the best stuff they have use your phrase book to say "something strong" or the like. When all else fails point, gesture and speak loudly :-)
