Buying cheaper medicine in JB pharmacies

Whether it’s popping a Panadol to remedy a persistent headache or counting on supplements for valuable nutrients, we’ve all relied on the science of medicine when our bodies need a lil’ pick-me-up. It goes without saying that pharmaceutical drugs can get expensive, especially if you have to take them on a daily basis to deal with ailments like allergies or vitamin deficiencies.

Well, alongside doing your grocery shopping at supermarkets in JB, you might also want to stock up your medicine cabinet while you’re there. That’s because buying medicine and other common drugstore products across the border can save you a pretty penny; read on to find out why, and what are the best things to buy in JB pharmacies, so dealing with your next cold won’t blow a hole in your wallet.

Why is it cheaper to buy medicine in JB as compared to SG?

There are quite a number of reasons as to why medicine in JB is cheaper to purchase as compared to the prices you’d see in pharmacies over here in Singapore. Firstly, there’s the current SGD to MYR exchange rate that favours Singaporean shoppers.

You’ll also find that in cities like JB and Kuala Lumpur, pharmacies are a dime a dozen. For instance, on our recent visit to Johor Bahru City Square mall, we stumbled across a total of 4 pharmacies in the mall. We even chanced upon one right after stepping off the CW bus, at JB customs.

This meant that all these different competing pharmacies are all vying for customers’ attention in the same area. As a result, each of them are more than willing to lower their prices, even if it’s just a bit, in order to potentially attract a larger crowd.

You also have to take into account Malaysia’s sheer size. They’re a lot bigger than Singapore in terms of population, which means that they can afford to slap a smaller price tag on their products to draw in customers, and make up the difference by selling more volume.

Where can I buy medicine in JB, & is it safe to buy medicine from JB?

Now, I know what you’re all thinking; lower prices are one thing, but is it safe to buy medicine from JB? In general, yes, it is safe to buy Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicine in JB, when you purchase them from reputable pharmacies.

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Image credit: BIG Pharmacy

You’d recognise some of these like Watsons and Guardian, and Malaysia has a couple of huge local chains as well, such as BIG Pharmacy and CARiNG Pharmacy.

These spots stock the exact same product as their Singaporean counterparts from the same, established manufacturers like Panadol and Clarityne, so they’re definitely safe to consume. However, you might still want to check labels or ask the staff about a particular product’s dosage, as they might vary ever so slightly from what you can buy in Singapore.

We’re also aware that you can buy medicine that requires a doctor’s prescription or note without actually presenting one at smaller, independent pharmacies but we don’t recommend doing that. It’s safer for those who require these prescription drugs to buy them under a doctor’s discretion, as they can monitor your body via checkups and prescribe medication accordingly.

What to buy in pharmacies in JB?

The 4 pharmacies we visited in JB City Square mall – Guardian, CARiNG Pharmacy, Watsons, and BIG Pharmacy. 

Now that we’re all caught up with everything you need to know about pharmacies in JB, you might be planning a trip down to pick up some medical supplies of your own. Luckily for you, we’ve already done the groundwork; we swung by 4 pharmacies in Johor Bahru City Square mall to check out what’s lining their shelves.

Funny enough, they’re well-aware of the high volume of Singaporeans making the cross-border trip to buy their products in bulk, as indicated by these “Tourist Top Favourites” displays outside of pharmacies like Guardian. Thankfully, now you’re also in the know; here’s what we’ve found on our visit, from everyday-use antihistamines to multivitamins with slashed prices.

1. Panadol

Young or old, we’re all susceptible to catching the pesky flu bug from time to time, and nothing’s really better at getting us back in tip-top shape than 2 tabs of Panadol. You’ll practically be able to find all different variants of Panadol at any pharmacy you visit, but the main difference between buying them in JB and Singapore is, of course, its price.

You can pick up 20 caplets of Panadol ActiFast here for RM15 (~S$4.63), while Guardian outlets in Singapore are selling them for S$11.55. Similarly, a box of 36 Panadol Optizorb caplets costs RM14.70 (~S$4.54), which is a steal compared to the S$7.90 you’d pay for 20 caplets in Singapore.

Curiously, they also sell individual strips of Panadol which are common finds in JB pharmacies, in case you just need a quick fix without committing to an entire box. We spotted various kinds of Panadol strips that were going for as low as RM4 (~S$1.23) for 10 tablets.

2. Eye drops

Those who wear daily contact lenses will know the hassle of having to deal with dry eyes, and so eyedrops are a lifesaver for them. We’re looking out for you folks; take home a box of 30 Refresh Plus eye drop containers; these will only set you back RM35.20 (~S$10.88). For reference, these cost $24.20 according to Guardian Singapore’s website.

3. Allergy medication AKA antihistamines

If you’re one to get the morning sniffles due to allergies, then you should be well-acquainted with taking antihistamines to suppress symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose. You’ll be able to get some at pharmacies in JB too, but you can’t find these sitting on their shelves.

We had to approach some staff who sat behind a counter within the pharmacy in order to enquire about the antihistamines they had for sale, and boy were the price differences here crazy.

For example, we were able to get our hands on a box of 100 tablets of Clarityne for RM150 (~S$46.37), or a strip of 10 tablets for RM15 (~S$4.63). If you were to buy a box of 10 tablets from Watsons in Singapore, you’d be looking at a price tag of S$14.90, over 3 times the price of the ones we found in JB.

We then went around asking for other common allergy medication; we were presented with a box of Zyrtec that went for RM65 (~S$20.09) which contained 50 tablets, or a strip of 5 tablets for RM13 (~S$4.01). Telfast was also available, with a box of 50 tablets and individual strips of 10 tablets costing RM70.40 (~S$21.76) and RM14.80 (~S$4.57) respectively.

4. Multivitamins & supplements

You can also go shopping for essential multivitamins and supplements at pharmacies in JB, as we came across quite a wide range of different health supplement brands on our trip.

This box of Centrum multivitamins was conveniently placed on the aforementioned “Tourist Top Favourites” display outside Guardian, so we assume it has to be quite a hit amongst Singaporean shoppers. These were up for grabs for RM38 (~S$11.74).

Also on the same display were boxes of Redoxon Double Action which contained 24 effervescent tablets each; pick these up for RM42.90 (~S$13.26). If you didn’t know, 30 tablet boxes are also available on Shopee, but for S$23.50.

Heading inside, we caught a glimpse of offerings from BLACKMORES, namely bottles of their Vitamin C 500mg tablets (RM25.90/60 tablets, ~S$8.00) and Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000mg tablets (RM238.90/400 tablets, ~S$73.84).

For the little ones, ensure they get their daily dose of vitamin A and D with this Scotts Emulsion Vita Cod Liver Oil; a 400ml bottle of the good stuff costs just RM23.20 (~S$7.17).

Being afflicted with an iron deficiency is no joke, so if your body needs help with its iron reserves,these Sangobion Complete capsules (RM44.40, ~S$13.72) will do the trick. It even comes bundled in a value pack at CARiNG Pharmacy, which means you’re getting 2 boxes of 28 capsules with your purchase.

5. Pei Pa Koa & Yu Yee Oil

Fun fact: Pei Pa Koa is called Cap Ibu Dan Anak in Malaysia; we had to turn over the boxes to find the name we were all familiar with. 

You can snag a classic Singaporean favourite over here too, in Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa. It seemed like not too long ago we were lusting over the weird combination of Pei Pa Koa and bubble tea, but you have to admit it’s pretty darn good at remedying coughs and sore throats.

You can take home a huge 300ml bottle of Pei Pa Koa for RM22.90 (~S$7.07), but the price difference between countries isn’t anything to write home about. You can buy a similarly-sized bottle in Singapore for $8.60, but hey, at least it’s something.

Another staple in our households that you can buy at pharmacies in JB is Yu Yee Oil. This one’s really effective when it comes to relieving bloated stomachs and treating mild muscle or joint aches. The big 48ml bottle you see here costs RM23.50 (~S$7.26).

6. Salonpas

Speaking of muscle and joint-related aches and pains, sticking on a Salonpas patch is probably the go-to solution when you’ve overexerted yourself during sports and exercise. If you’re one to hit the gym often, cast away your muscle soreness with this box of 40 Salonpas patches for RM17.70 (~S$5.46).

7. Lozenges for sore throat

Waking up with a sore throat is a total vibe killer, as it turns otherwise enjoyable mealtimes into torturous, force-feeding sessions. If you’d rather not deal with a raspy voice and a dry mouth, soothe your inflamed throats with a Difflam lozenge or 2. These come in a slew of different flavours and are even antibacterial, and a box of 12 costs RM4.80 (~S$1.48).

The tried-and-tested Strepsils brand lozenges are also available; these ones are a little more pricier though, coming in at RM17.40 (~S$5.37) for a pack of 24 lozenges.

8. Moisturising lotion & cream

To combat dry skin, look no further than this gigantic 473ml bottle of CeraVe Moisturing Lotion (RM128.90, ~S$39.83). You can use it for both your body and your face, and there’s more than enough for 2 people, in case you’d want to get your partner to finally adopt his own skincare routine.

For those with more sensitive skin, opt for Cetaphil’s Moisturising Cream (RM86.90, ~S$26.85). This tub is also quite hefty, containing 453ml of product to perhaps last you for a year, even if you moisturise on the daily.

9. Adult diapers

We also found a whole corner dedicated to adult diapers in CARiNG Pharmacy. If you visit their website, you’d find that these TENA Value Adult Diapers (RM18.50, ~S$5.71) are constantly sold out, so it seems like getting a few packs here might save you a substantial amount of money.

These come in sizes M, L, and XL, and for comparison FairPrice also stocks them, but they cost S$10.95, almost twice what you’d pay at pharmacies in JB.

Replenish your medicine cabinet by visiting JB pharmacies

It’s no secret that medical supplies across the causeway are way more affordable than what we can buy here in the Little Red Dot. On our visit, all the pharmacies we swung by were quite packed, most likely by fellow countrymen looking for massive savings, especially at Guardian and Watsons.

But, we were pretty shocked by the price differences having seen them ourselves, especially for commonly used products like Panadol and antihistamines. If you’re one to use stuff like eye drops and multivitamins on the daily, perhaps it’s time to hightail it to these pharmacies in JB.

Photography by Lee Pei Yee.