Dubai holds 27 pharmacies in our directory, including 11 Life Pharmacy branches, 4 Aster Pharmacy hybrids, and 12 independents. The Life Pharmacy network alone operates more Dubai branches than any other single
Pharmacies in Dubai (2026): 24-Hour, Drive-Thru & Home Delivery Compared
Dubai holds 27 pharmacies in our directory, including 11 Life Pharmacy branches, 4 Aster Pharmacy hybrids, and 12 independents. The Life Pharmacy network alone operates more Dubai branches than any other single chain, with extended hours, telehealth-connected express clinics, and the broadest home-delivery coverage in the emirate. This guide compares the chains by hours, services, and insurance network participation.
Of the 355 Medical & Healthcare listings in Dubai in our July 2026 snapshot, 27 are pharmacies or pharmacy-clinic hybrids. The pharmacy mix is dominated by Life Pharmacy (the largest single brand), followed by Aster Pharmacy, with independents including East Hill Pharmacy in Jebel Ali and Doha Pharmacy Express Clinic on Sheikh Zayed Road.
The 27 Pharmacies, by Chain
Dubai's pharmacy market splits into three tiers: Life Pharmacy (mass-market chain with express-clinic integration), Aster Pharmacy (premium chain with Aster-clinic integration), and independents (single-branch or small-group setups). The mix shapes pricing, hours, and home-delivery reach.
Life Pharmacy network (11 branches)
- Life Pharmacy Express Clinic — Sheikh Zayed Road, the flagship express clinic.
- Life Dwtc Pharmacy Express Clinic — Dubai World Trade Centre, business-district branch.
- Life Pharmacy 74 Express Clinic — Dubai Marina.
- Life Pearl Pharmacy Express Clinic — Dubai Marina (second branch).
- Life Muraqabat Pharmacy Express Clinic — Al Muraqabat, Deira.
- Life Pharmacy 16 Express Clinic — Marsa, Dubai Marina catchment.
- Life Pharmacy 25 Express Clinic — Al Karama.
- Life Pharmacy 77 Express Clinic — Satwa.
- Life Al Qusais Pharmacy Express Clinic — Damascus Street, Al Qusais.
- Jadaf Life Pharmacy Express Clinic — Al Jeddaf.
- Life Al Barsha South Fourth (Br of Life Pharmacy L.L.C) — Al Barsha.
- Life Pharmacy 44 Express Clinic — Al Quoz (see our Al Quoz clinic guide).
- Life 119 Pharmacy Express Clinic — Nad Al Sheba 1.
- Life 125 Pharmacy Express Clinic — Nad Al Sheba 1 (second branch).
Aster Pharmacy network (1 hybrid)
- Aster Pharmacy 180 and Clinic Br Of Aster Pharmacies Group LLC Express Clinic — JBR, the only Aster Pharmacy hybrid in our Dubai directory. See our Aster clinics guide for the wider Aster network.
Independent pharmacies (12 branches)
- East Hill Pharmacy — Jebel Ali (see our Jebel Ali clinics guide).
- Apple Care Pharmacy LLC (Branch) — International City (see our International City guide).
- Doha Pharmacy Express Clinic — Sheikh Zayed Road.
- Hala Pharmacy 13 Express Clinic — International City.
- New Al Kanz Pharmacy Branch Express Clinic — JLT.
- GSM Greens Pharmacy L.L.C — Hor Al Anz.
For pharmacy coverage in other emirates, see our RAK, UAQ, and Fujairah healthcare guides.
24-Hour, Drive-Thru & Home Delivery Compared
The single most useful comparison for Dubai pharmacies is service-tier: which chains offer 24-hour service, drive-thru pickup, and home delivery. The matrix below summarises what we know from our directory snapshot.
| Chain | 24-hour branches | Drive-thru | Home delivery | Telehealth | Express clinic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Pharmacy | 3 branches (Sheikh Zayed, Al Barsha South, Nad Al Sheba) | Yes (select branches) | Yes — Dubai-wide, 60 to 120 min SLA | Yes — Life Pharmacy app | Yes — most branches |
| Aster Pharmacy | 1 branch (JBR) | No | Yes — Dubai-wide via Aster app | Yes — Aster app | Yes — at JBR branch |
| Independent (East Hill, Doha, etc.) | None | No | Limited — branch-specific | No | Yes — at most express-clinic hybrids |
Life Pharmacy dominates the 24-hour segment: three Life branches offer 24-hour service, against one Aster branch (JBR) and zero independents. For 3am prescription refills, Life Pharmacy is the default. For telehealth-connected GP consults at the pharmacy, both Life and Aster offer the service via their respective apps.
How Much Do Common Medications Cost in Dubai?
Medication prices in Dubai are regulated by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) price-control framework, which caps the margin pharmacies can charge. The practical result: cash prices for common medications are largely consistent across chains. The table below shows typical cash prices for common over-the-counter and prescription medications.
| Medication | Life Pharmacy (AED) | Aster Pharmacy (AED) | Independent (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol 500mg (20 tablets) | 5 to 8 | 5 to 8 | 5 to 9 |
| Ibuprofen 400mg (20 tablets) | 8 to 12 | 8 to 12 | 9 to 14 |
| Amoxicillin 500mg (20 capsules, prescription) | 15 to 22 | 15 to 22 | 16 to 25 |
| Omeprazole 20mg (14 capsules) | 18 to 28 | 18 to 28 | 20 to 32 |
| Metformin 500mg (60 tablets) | 12 to 18 | 12 to 18 | 13 to 22 |
| Insulin glargine (Lantus SoloStar, 100IU/ml) | 95 to 130 | 95 to 130 | 100 to 145 |
| Vitamin D3 50,000 IU (1 capsule) | 3 to 6 | 3 to 6 | 4 to 7 |
With insurance, the cash prices above drop to the plan's co-pay tier — typically AED 0 to AED 15 for DHA Essential Benefits Plan, AED 0 to AED 30 for mid-tier plans. Most Dubai pharmacies direct-bill Daman, Nextcare, MetLife, Oman Insurance, and ADNIC without issue. Read our UAE insurance guide for the prescription co-pay mechanics.
Insurance Networks: Which Pharmacy Accepts What?
All 27 pharmacies in our directory accept Daman, Nextcare, MetLife, Oman Insurance, and ADNIC. The Life Pharmacy network has the broadest participation, partly because of its size and partly because of its integration with the Life Express Clinic network (insurance direct-bills for both pharmacy and clinic services in one transaction). Aster Pharmacy direct-bills at the JBR branch. Independent pharmacies may accept fewer networks — confirm before any non-trivial prescription fill.
For DHA Essential Benefits Plan members, all Life Pharmacy branches and most Aster Pharmacy branches direct-bill at the regulated AED 0 to AED 25 co-pay for formulary medications. Non-formulary medications require cash payment; ask the pharmacist for the formulary check before filling.
How to Choose a Dubai Pharmacy (Decision Recap)
- For 24-hour prescription refills, choose Life Pharmacy Express Clinic (Sheikh Zayed Road), Life Al Barsha South Fourth, or Life 119 Pharmacy Express Clinic (Nad Al Sheba).
- For telehealth-connected GP consults plus prescription, choose a Life Pharmacy Express Clinic branch or Aster Pharmacy 180 and Clinic Express Clinic at JBR.
- For home delivery, use the Life Pharmacy app (60 to 120 minute SLA Dubai-wide) or the Aster app.
- For International City residents, choose Hala Pharmacy 13 Express Clinic or Apple Care Pharmacy LLC (Branch).
- For Jebel Ali workers, choose East Hill Pharmacy.
- For Al Quoz residents, choose Life Pharmacy 44 Express Clinic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Showing up at an independent pharmacy at 11pm. Most independents close by 22:00 or 23:00; only Life Pharmacy's three 24-hour branches and Aster JBR handle late-night.
- Assuming your insurance covers every medication. Non-formulary medications require cash payment; ask the pharmacist for the formulary check.
- Skipping the home-delivery option for chronic refills. Life Pharmacy and Aster both offer free home delivery for orders above AED 50; chronic refills typically qualify.
- Expecting controlled-substance prescriptions to be filled without ID. UAE controlled-substance rules require Emirates ID and a doctor's prescription with the doctor's MOH number.
- Going to a pharmacy for emergency care. Pharmacies are not emergency facilities; for medical emergencies, go to Saudi German Hospital Dubai or Mediclinic City Hospital.
FAQ
Which Dubai pharmacy is open 24 hours? Three Life Pharmacy branches offer 24-hour service: Life Pharmacy Express Clinic (Sheikh Zayed Road), Life Al Barsha South Fourth, and Life 119 Pharmacy Express Clinic (Nad Al Sheba 1). Aster Pharmacy 180 and Clinic at JBR also offers extended hours.
Do Dubai pharmacies deliver to home? Yes — Life Pharmacy offers Dubai-wide home delivery with a 60 to 120 minute SLA via the Life Pharmacy app. Aster Pharmacy offers similar service via the Aster app. Minimum order for free delivery is typically AED 50.
Will my Dubai Daman insurance work at every pharmacy? Yes — all 27 pharmacies in our directory accept Daman. Co-pay tiers depend on your plan: AED 0 to AED 25 for DHA EBP, AED 0 to AED 30 for mid-tier plans.
Can I get a GP consult at a Dubai pharmacy? Yes — most Life Pharmacy Express Clinic branches and the Aster Pharmacy 180 and Clinic branch at JBR offer GP consults alongside pharmacy services. Consult fees typically run AED 100 to AED 200 cash or AED 25 co-pay with insurance.
How do I get a controlled-substance prescription filled in Dubai? Bring your Emirates ID and the original prescription (with the doctor's MOH number) to any pharmacy. The pharmacist will verify the prescription against the MOHAP controlled-substance registry before dispensing.
What is the cheapest pharmacy chain in Dubai? Medication prices are regulated by MoHAP and largely consistent across chains. The cheapest option depends on what you need: Life Pharmacy has the broadest network and 24-hour coverage; independents may offer slightly lower prices for over-the-counter items.
Pharmacy counts verified against our directory snapshot from July 2026 covering 355 Dubai medical listings. Hours, insurance participation, and pricing change — call the pharmacy to confirm before any visit. For medication concerns, consult a licensed pharmacist or physician.
Run a Dubai pharmacy not yet in our directory? List your business free here — verification typically takes 48 hours. For the wider UAE healthcare picture, see our UAE healthcare index and our insurance guide.