For a minor health problem in Sharm El Sheikh, start at a pharmacy. If you need a prescription medicine, feel worse or are not sure what is wrong, see a doctor. In an emergency, call 123 for an ambulance.
If you have travel insurance, call your insurer’s assistance line before you see a doctor. In an emergency, call 123 first and your insurer afterwards.
This guide is for holidaymakers in Sharm El Sheikh. Our pharmacists speak English, Russian, Ukrainian and Italian. Our 5 pharmacies across Sharm sell registered medicines at the official prices set in Egypt.
Pharmacy, doctor or hospital: a quick guide
| Where to go | When | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | A minor problem, and you otherwise feel well | Mild sunburn, mild diarrhoea, insect bites, a blocked nose, a sore throat, small cuts, aches and pains |
| Doctor (hotel doctor or clinic) | You need a prescription medicine, your symptoms get worse or do not improve, or you are not sure what is wrong | A possible infection, ear pain or discharge, a high temperature that does not settle, a baby, a pregnant woman or an older person who is unwell |
| Ambulance (123) or hospital | Life-threatening symptoms or a serious injury | Chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, a seizure, bleeding that will not stop, swelling of the face or tongue, signs of heatstroke |
Not sure which row fits? Ask a pharmacist, and we will tell you whether you need a doctor.
When a pharmacy is enough
Pharmacists can advise on many minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, and aches and pains. They can also explain how to use a medicine and which side effects to watch for. If a pharmacist cannot help, they will tell you to see a doctor.
To get the right product, bring the box or a photo of the pack. Tell the pharmacist about allergies, pregnancy, long-term conditions and other medicines you take. For a child, give their age and weight.
You can describe your symptoms clearly to our pharmacists in English, Russian, Ukrainian or Italian. Read more about our Russian-speaking pharmacist service. If you cannot leave your room, message us on WhatsApp for free hotel delivery on orders from $30.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if:
- you need a prescription-only medicine, such as an antibiotic
- your symptoms are severe, getting worse or not improving
- you are not sure what is wrong
- a baby, a pregnant woman, an older person or someone with a long-term condition is unwell
- a cut is red, swollen, more painful or leaking pus
- a person or a stray animal has bitten you
To find a doctor in Sharm El Sheikh, ask your hotel reception, tour representative or insurer’s assistance line.
Antibiotics need a prescription
Antibiotics and other prescription-only medicines need a doctor’s prescription. Egyptian law limits which medicines a pharmacist can give without one.
Antibiotics do not work for viral infections, such as colds and flu. Many mild bacterial infections also get better on their own. Take your doctor’s advice on whether you need antibiotics, and never take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.
Hotel doctors: agree costs first
UK government travel advice for Egypt includes a warning about costs with some hotel doctors. Agree costs before treatment, and ask for an itemised receipt.
The same advice notes that pharmacies outside hotels often supply medicines at lower prices. If a doctor gives you a prescription, you can take it to any pharmacy.
In an emergency, call 123
Call 123 and ask for an ambulance. This is the ambulance number for the whole of Egypt, including Sharm El Sheikh.
Call 123 if someone:
- has chest pain or discomfort that lasts two minutes or more
- has difficulty breathing
- faints, or becomes suddenly confused
- has sudden dizziness, weakness, trouble speaking or a change in vision
- has bleeding that will not stop
- has swelling of the face, eyes or tongue
- has a seizure, or signs of heatstroke such as hot skin without sweating
- has a head injury or another serious injury
When you call, give your exact location, such as your hotel name and room number. Say what has happened, and give a phone number. Stay with the person until help arrives.
Take the patient’s passport, insurance details and regular medicines. The tourist police number is 126.
Hospitals in Sharm El Sheikh
The UK government publishes a list of English-speaking doctors and medical facilities in Egypt. For Sharm El Sheikh, the list includes:
- Sharm International Hospital (government)
- Misr Medical Center Hospital (private)
- the Sinai clinic (private)
The list was last updated in July 2022, and the UK government says its lists are not recommendations. You will find the phone numbers on the list. Unless it is an emergency, ask your insurer before you choose.
Travel insurance: what to do
- In an emergency, call 123 first. Contact your insurer as soon as you can.
- Otherwise, call your insurer before treatment. Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number. Ask what your policy covers and what to do next.
- Be ready to pay. You will often have to pay upfront for medical care abroad, even if you are fully insured. Carry a credit card.
- Keep every receipt. Keep doctors’ notes and medical reports too. Ask for a full medical report before you leave a hospital.
- Do not rely on an EHIC. A European Health Insurance Card does not cover medical treatment in Egypt.
Healthcare in Egypt is not free, so you or your insurer will pay for treatment. Ask for a receipt when you buy medicines, too.
After the doctor: getting your medicines
Bring your prescription to one of our 5 pharmacies across Sharm. Our pharmacist will explain how to take each medicine, in any of the four languages we speak. Registered medicines are sold at the official prices set in Egypt, with no tourist mark-up.
If you cannot go out, send a clear photo of the prescription on WhatsApp. Our pharmacist will check it.
If a brand name is new to you, ask us for the active ingredient. Then you know exactly what you are taking. For first aid advice on common holiday problems, see our health guides.
See a doctor urgently if:
- a high temperature comes with a stiff neck, a rash or confusion
- you keep vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
- there is blood in your diarrhoea
- you have signs of dehydration, such as dark pee, dizziness or peeing less than usual
- a cut is red, swollen, more painful or leaking pus
- you have ear pain with discharge
- a baby under 12 months is unwell
In an emergency in Egypt, call 123 for an ambulance.
Need help in Sharm?
Not sure whether you need a pharmacist or a doctor? Message us on WhatsApp or call +20 120 344 2201, in English, Russian, Ukrainian or Italian. Our Naama Bay and Nabq pharmacies are open until 1:00 AM every day. Hotel delivery is free for orders from $30.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How do I find a doctor in Sharm El Sheikh?
Ask your hotel reception, your tour representative or your travel insurer's assistance line. The UK government also lists English-speaking medical facilities in Sharm El Sheikh, but the list dates from July 2022 and is not a recommendation. Agree costs before treatment, and keep every receipt and medical report for your insurer.
What is the ambulance number in Sharm El Sheikh?
Call 123 for an ambulance anywhere in Egypt, including Sharm El Sheikh. Give your hotel name and room number, say what has happened, and give a phone number. The tourist police number is 126. Contact your travel insurer as soon as you can after the emergency.
Do I need a prescription for antibiotics in Egypt?
Yes. Antibiotics and other prescription-only medicines need a doctor's prescription, and Egyptian law limits which medicines a pharmacist can give without one. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as colds and flu, so a doctor should decide whether you need them. Never take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.
Should I call my travel insurer before seeing a doctor?
Yes, unless it is an emergency. In an emergency, call 123 first. Otherwise, call your insurer's 24-hour assistance line and ask what your policy covers. You may have to pay upfront, even if you are fully insured. Keep every receipt, doctor's note and medical report for your claim.
Can a pharmacist help instead of a doctor?
For minor problems, often yes. A pharmacist can advise on coughs, colds, sore throats, aches and pains, mild sunburn and insect bites, and explain how to use a medicine. A pharmacist cannot examine you or make a diagnosis, so see a doctor if symptoms are severe, getting worse or not improving.
Does an EHIC cover medical treatment in Egypt?
No. UK government advice says a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not cover medical treatment in Egypt. Healthcare in Egypt is not free, so you or your insurer will pay. Before you travel, check that your travel insurance covers medical treatment and medical evacuation.
Sources and further reading (17)
- Health: Egypt travel advice (emergency medical number, healthcare in Egypt) — GOV.UK (FCDO)
- Getting help: Egypt travel advice (emergency numbers) — GOV.UK (FCDO)
- Egypt: doctors and medical facilities (updated July 2022) — GOV.UK (FCDO)
- Information for British nationals hospitalised or in need of medical help in Egypt — GOV.UK (FCDO)
- Medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad — GOV.UK (FCDO)
- How pharmacies can help — NHS
- Antibiotics — NHS
- Egyptian community pharmacies and self-care: context, challenges and opportunities (Youssef and Amin, 2023) — Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy
- Recognizing medical emergencies — MedlinePlus
- When to call 999 — NHS
- When to go to A&E — NHS
- Heat exhaustion and heatstroke — NHS
- Diarrhoea and vomiting — NHS
- Dehydration — NHS
- Cuts and grazes — NHS
- High temperature (fever) in children — NHS
- Preventing Swimmer's Ear — CDC
Last updated 8 October 2026. General information, not a diagnosis: always read the leaflet and ask a pharmacist or doctor.
Apteka Sharm
5 pharmacies across Sharm El Sheikh, with pharmacists who speak English, Russian, Ukrainian and Italian. Questions about a product? Ask us on WhatsApp.
