Many drugs, including antibiotics, that are available only with a prescription in other countries may be obtained directly from pharmacists in Gran Canaria without a prescription, including Asthma inhalers and antibiotics. If you are registered for free healthcare under Spanish social security, you can get medicines you need on prescription for a 60% discount, or for nothing if you are pensioners.

Pharmacies normally open Monday to Friday from 09.00 - 13.00 and 17.00 - 19.00 and 09.00 - 13.00 on Saturdays -  with a few exceptions. Outside of those hours a notice will be posted of the nearest pharmacy open after 19.00. There are 24 hour pharmacies in all towns. There is a listing displayed outside pharmacies and published in the daily press, indicating which of them are on night-service and / or open during the weekend.