Charente · Nouvelle-Aquitaine
1 pharmacy in Vars
Opening hours, addresses and phone numbers for pharmacies in Vars · 2,841 inhabitants
- pharmacy
- 1
Duty pharmacies near Vars
From the rota published by ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Charente): the nearest duty pharmacies within 20 km. Pharmacies may swap duties at short notice: if in doubt, call the pharmacy before you go.
Sunday 25 October
- Pharmacie de Balzachours not published
78 Route de Vars 16430 Balzac
05 45 68 81 005.8 kmAt night, go through the gendarmerie first.
- Pharmacie Charentonhours not published
208 Avenue de la République 16340 L'Isle-d'Espagnac
05 45 68 18 4712.2 kmAt night, go through the gendarmerie first.
- Pharmacie Lutardhours not published
134 Avenue du Général de Gaulle 16800 Soyaux
05 45 92 29 9214.3 kmAt night, go through the gendarmerie first.
Source: ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine — Charente · rota imported on 19 October
Pharmacies
Vars has 1 pharmacy in Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Whether you live here or are just passing through, every pharmacy listed below dispenses prescription and over-the-counter medicine — in France, look for the illuminated green cross. Browse the list to find addresses, phone numbers and locations on the map.
With a population of 2,841, that is roughly one pharmacy per 2,841 residents. Pharmacies are also available nearby in St Amant de Boixe, Balzac, Champniers.
Night and Sunday duty pharmacy in Vars
Outside normal opening hours, France runs a rotating duty system called the "pharmacie de garde". In Charente the 3237 hotline does not cover it: the duty rota for Vars is published every month by ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and every pharmacy posts it on its window. A duty fee applies (rates since January 2025): €6 on Sundays and public holidays, €10 in the evening (8 PM–midnight) and early morning (6–8 AM), €20 in the deep night (midnight–6 AM). French residents with a prescription and Carte Vitale get these surcharges reimbursed.
Visiting Vars? How French pharmacies work
Unlike in the UK or US, over-the-counter medicine in France is sold only in pharmacies — supermarkets don't stock painkillers or cold remedies. Pharmacists are trained to give first-line advice for minor ailments and can often save you a doctor's visit. Prescriptions issued in the EU/EEA are generally accepted if the medicine is authorised in France. With a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC) you still pay at the counter, then claim reimbursement from your home insurer — keep the receipt.
Frequently asked questions
How many pharmacies are there in Vars?
PharmacyRadar lists 1 pharmacy in Vars, with address, phone number and map location.
How do I find a pharmacy open tonight or on Sunday in Vars?
In Charente the 3237 hotline does not cover duty pharmacies: check the monthly duty rota published by ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine, or the notice posted on the window of any pharmacy in Vars. At night in larger towns you may be asked to go through the police station first.
Can I use a foreign prescription at a pharmacy in Vars?
Pharmacies in Vars can usually dispense prescriptions issued in the EU/EEA, provided the medicine is authorised in France. For prescriptions from outside the EU, dispensing is at the pharmacist's discretion — bring photo ID and, if possible, a prescription using the international (INN) drug name.
Do pharmacies in Vars accept the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
The EHIC/GHIC is not a payment card: you pay for the medicine at the counter, keep the receipt and claim reimbursement from your home insurer afterwards. Pharmacies in Vars accept bank cards and cash.
Can I buy medication without a prescription in Vars?
Yes — pharmacies in Vars sell over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines and antiseptics. Note that in France these are only available in pharmacies, not supermarkets.
How much does a duty pharmacy visit cost in Vars?
A duty fee is added to the medication price (rates since January 2025): €6 on Sundays and holidays, €10 in the evening (8 PM–midnight) and early morning (6–8 AM), €20 in the deep night (midnight–6 AM). French residents get these fees reimbursed with a prescription and Carte Vitale; visitors should keep the receipt for their travel or home insurer.