In this guide
In San Lorenzo, the right pharmacy is the one that has your medicine today and sits on your side of the traffic. Hundreds of thousands of people come in and out of the city every day for the university and the shops, so crossing the centre at rush hour can take longer than the purchase itself. Before you leave, message or call with the exact name of the medicine and check that they have it and how late they are open, especially if you need a pharmacy at night.
Where to look, area by area
San Lorenzo is about 9 km from Asunción and has 54 barrios (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It helps to think in zones:
- The centre and the shopping avenues: most of the city's commerce runs along Avenida Julia Miranda Cueto de Estigarribia and Avenida Mariscal Estigarribia, so this is where you will find the most options within a few blocks. It is also where traffic is heaviest.
- Villa Universitaria: home to the main campus of the Universidad Nacional de Asunción and the Hospital de Clínicas. If you walk out of an appointment with a prescription, check the map for the pharmacies closest to the hospital and call before you walk over.
- La Victoria: the barrio of the Niños de Acosta Ñu children's hospital (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). If you have kids, save two pharmacies in that area.
- Near the city limits: San Lorenzo borders Luque, Ñemby, Capiatá and Fernando de la Mora. If you live near the edge, a pharmacy in the next city may be closer than one in the centre.
Are there 24-hour pharmacies in San Lorenzo?
Hours vary by shop and by day, and the hours shown on your phone's map are not always up to date. For nights, Sundays and public holidays:
- Save two or three pharmacies near you, with their WhatsApp numbers.
- Call before you go, even if the map says "open 24 hours".
- If it is an emergency that a pharmacist cannot handle, go straight to a health service instead of driving around looking for a pharmacy.
If you got a prescription at the Hospital de Clínicas
Many Clínicas patients end up buying part of their treatment outside. In a 2025 report, patients said they had to buy antibiotics the hospital pharmacy did not have in stock (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). To save time:
- Ask the hospital pharmacy first what they can give you and what you need to buy elsewhere.
- Take a photo of the prescription before you hand it over, and note the active ingredient, dose and form.
- If the medicine is expensive, compare. The Paraguayan Chamber of Pharmacies runs a product search (opens in a new tab) with fields for price, active ingredient and laboratory.
What you need for prescription medicines
- Antibiotics: in Paraguay, medicines with systemic antibiotic activity are sold "bajo receta simple archivada" (on a simple prescription that is filed), under Ministry of Health Resolution S.G. No. 576/18 (PAHO (opens in a new tab)). Bring the original prescription.
- Generics: if the brand you were prescribed is out of stock, ask what alternative they have with the same active ingredient, and check it with the pharmacist or your doctor.
- Payment: ask whether they take QR, cards or bank transfer. QR is now the most used electronic payment in the country: 68.1% of electronic payments processed by Bancard in April 2026 (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
What to check at the counter
Dinavisa, Paraguay's national health surveillance agency, licenses and inspects pharmacies. Its inspections have found products not registered in the country, prices above the set level and missing cold-chain equipment (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). That gives you three quick checks:
- Health registration: every medicine that enters the country must have its registration number printed on the box, along with the laboratory. If you cannot see it, do not buy it.
- Cold chain: insulin and other refrigerated products should come out of a fridge.
- Licence: Dinavisa has a public "Establecimientos Habilitados" lookup on its licensing page (opens in a new tab). If something seems off, you can look the pharmacy up there or file a complaint.
Planning your monthly refill
- Reorder a few days before you run out, especially for medicines that are not always in stock.
- If you use delivery, confirm the delivery fee and time in the same chat.
- Keep the invoice and a photo of the box: they help if you need to complain or buy the same product at another pharmacy.
FAQ
Is there a 24-hour pharmacy in San Lorenzo, Paraguay?
Hours vary by shop and by day, and map listings are not always current. Before going out at night, on a Sunday or a holiday, call or message to confirm the pharmacy is open and has your medicine.
Where can I buy medicine near the Hospital de Clínicas?
Clínicas is in Villa Universitaria, San Lorenzo. Ask the hospital pharmacy first what they can supply, then check the map for the nearest pharmacies and call ahead to confirm stock.
Do I need a prescription for antibiotics in Paraguay?
Yes. Systemic antibiotics are sold on a simple prescription that the pharmacy files, under Ministry of Health Resolution S.G. No. 576/18. Bring the original.
How do I know a pharmacy is licensed?
Dinavisa has a public lookup of licensed establishments on its website. Also check that each box has its health registration number printed on it.
