Pharmacy guide · 06

Can You Buy Antibiotics Without a Prescription in Malta?

For an antibiotic, see a clinician first. Malta also has a shorter dispensing window for antibiotic prescriptions.

FreeMalta Editorial · Checked 23 September 2026 · 2 min read

An antibiotic is not a general remedy for feeling unwell. The right treatment depends on the cause of the illness, and using an old antibiotic—or one prescribed for someone else—can be unsafe.

What the pharmacy can check

Malta classifies medicines as prescription-only or non-prescription product by product. The Medicines Authority explains that antibiotic prescriptions have a specific time limit: they cannot be dispensed after 10 days from the issue date. Its medicine search can be used to check the classification of a named product.

If you think you need treatment, contact a GP or the appropriate health service. You can find local pharmacy contact details in the FreeMalta directory, but the pharmacist cannot turn an expired prescription into a new one. For care outside normal hours, read where to go first.

If your prescription was issued in another EU country, the foreign-prescription guide explains the separate verification rule. Ask the pharmacist about the exact medicine rather than assuming that the brand and stock match what you used elsewhere.

This guide provides general information, not medical advice. Availability, opening hours and access requirements can change. Confirm with a pharmacist or healthcare professional before acting.

Sources checked
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