Pharmacies in Caaguazú: how to choose a drugstore that fits

In Caaguazú, the right pharmacy is the one that has your medicine today and is close by, without crossing Ruta PY02 at rush hour. Before you go, call or WhatsApp with the exact name of the medicine and confirm they have it and how late they're open, especially if you need one open at night or on a Sunday.

How to find a pharmacy open near you

Searching "pharmacy near me" on your phone's map is a good start, but the hours shown aren't always up to date. Do this:

• Save two or three pharmacies near your barrio, whether that's the Centro, San Roque, Santa Isabel, Ciudad Nueva, Guavira or another (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).
• The city is built around Ruta PY02, which links it with Asunción, about 180 km away, and Ciudad del Este, about 144 km away (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). If you're on the other side of the highway, look on your side first.
• At night, on Sundays and on public holidays, call first even if the map says "open".

Chain or neighbourhood pharmacy?

Caaguazú has both neighbourhood pharmacies and national chains. Farmacenter, for example, was listed in 2021 among chains with a branch in Caaguazú, along with an online shop and delivery (La Nación⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠); check today's address and hours on its website or by phone, as these change.

• Chain: handy for ordering online, comparing prices or picking up a ready order.
• Neighbourhood: closer, and staff often know you and let you know when your order arrives.
• Either way, save the WhatsApp number for your monthly refill.

What to ask before you go

• Stock: brand name, active ingredient, dose and form (tablets, syrup, drops).
• Alternatives: if your prescribed brand isn't in, ask what they have with the same active ingredient and check with the pharmacist or your doctor.
• Prescription: for prescription-only medicines, bring the original.
• Payment and delivery: card, bank transfer or QR, and whether they deliver to your barrio.

What to check at the counter

Dinavisa⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠, Paraguay's national health surveillance agency, regulates 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)⁠). Three simple checks:

• Health registration: it must be printed on the box, along with the laboratory (Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). If it isn't, don't buy it.
• Cold chain: insulin and other refrigerated products should come out of a fridge.
• Withdrawn products: Dinavisa publishes a list of products withdrawn from the market⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠.

What if the hospital is out of your medicine?

The city has the Hospital Distrital de Caaguazú (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠) and an IPS (social security) Hospital Básico. In May 2026, doctors and insured patients complained to the IPS president about shortages of medicines, specialists and supplies at that hospital (Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). If you're sent to buy outside, call two or three pharmacies with the prescription in hand, ask about stock and price and ask them to set it aside. In an emergency, go straight to the hospital rather than looking for a pharmacy.

Where to complain if something is wrong

If you were sold an unregistered product, overcharged, or saw a refrigerated medicine outside the fridge, file a complaint through the form on the Dinavisa⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠ website. Keep the receipt and a photo of the box.