Albanian pharmacies (farmacis) operate very differently from US pharmacies. First, they are located everywhere. I am not exaggerating. There are four in our neighborhood within a block or two of each other. Secondly, just like the doctors here, 99% of Albanian pharmacists are women. Thirdly, drugs are prepackaged in bubble pack sheets and put in boxes by the manufacturers. The pharmacist is never counting out pills. They read the doctor’s prescription then gather boxes of the prescribed drugs from shelves and drawers.
The pharmacist’s contribution is that they know how to read the doctors scribbled prescriptions. They know what the drugs do, and are aware of possible side effects. They have blank labels that they stick on the box of pills and write instructions for use. . . like when to take before a meal or after a meal or at bedtime, etc.
They take the time to be sure I understand the doctor’s instructions by asking me if I have any questions about the instructions they have just put on the box. They will take all the time needed to be sure I go away with clear understanding. BTW It is rare to find a pharmacist in Tirana who doesn’t speak English. I only met one so I didn’t go back to that farmaci.
Sunday
Every Sunday I release pills from their plastic encapsulation and place them in the 7 day pill dispensers. The blue dispenser is for morning, pink for midday, clear for bedtime. All this folderol is for managing blood pressure, kidney health, and cholesterol.
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The first day of the week on the clear plastic dispenser from the farmaci starts on Monday while my current dispensers start on Sunday. I used my black sharpie to redefine the days of the week on the farmaci dispenser.
$$ Medication versus Supplements
I couldn’t belive the price of supplements! I get half the amount of pills at twice the price I was used to for Vitamin C, D3, CQ10, and B12. Doctors also typically prescribe a multi vitamin which also falls into the “way expensive” category. The explanation for this is that none of the supplements are manufactured in Albania and must be imported. I can tell you that anything made in Albania is dirt cheap (like beer, raki, fruits, veggies, green and black olives, meat, cheese, eggs, bakery goods, etc. For instance a loaf of bread is just 80 lek ($.88).
Byrek (beer rick)
A flaky pastry filled with either spinach (my favorite), white cheese, or minced meat is just 80 lek. Since my bakery across the boulevard at the end of my street is at a very popular bus stop, the bakery does a land office business for the bus loads of people coming and going to school, work, or shopping. For many at the bus stop the byrek is their breakfast or lunch for the equivalent of a mere .88 US cents.
Convenience
I love that we are within walking distance of just about everything we need and want. On days the weather is not to my liking I just stay home. However, like everyone here I have a collapsible umbrella in my not-so-stylish-travel “purse.” It has three compartments. I carry my compacted umbrella, which opens to a full size umbrella, in the last compartment.
I bought the umbrella for a side trip to Paris in the spring of 2006 when I came to Brussels to attend a seminar. It was my first and only trip to Europe until coming to Albania. What could be more Parisian than a pink umbrella for likely spring showers?
If ever you are looking for me on a rainy day in Tirana, look for the pink umbrella among the sea of black umbrellas. The majority of the Albanians dress to blend in with the crowd. Black is the predominate color for clothes and umbrellas (except for a small percentage of the younger women who stand out for their stylish attire.) I think it is a remnant of living under communism when anonymity meant safety.
Questions?
If you have any wonderings about life here just leave a question in the comment section below or email me at Jennifer@JenniferGrainger.com mirupafshim, kalofsh shumë mirë Good bye. Have a nice day!
Really love the posts!! Thanks for sharing
Hi Eunice,
Thanks for letting my know you are enjoying my posts. Without feedback like yours I don’t know if anyone cares about what I write or not. When I get a nice review like your it encourages me to keep posting.
We recently had dinner at a Turkish restaurant located on the ground floor of the most magnificent mosque. It felt like a state dinner, with many “courses”. First came Turkish tea, then bread and toppings, then our entre, then a platter of sliced fruit and more Turkish tea, the Barry’s dessert. I hope to write about it soon. It was a one and a half hour experience. For once we took a lot of pictures!
ONWARD!
Jennifer
Question for Barry–Had you heard that De Maio was retiring from politics? Wasn’t he your “favorite” politician.
Carl DeMaio? From San Diego? Nope, he was never important to me. HOWEVER, Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) had the good taste to die on January 5, 2026. He was a mindless back-bencher who voted the Trump agenda 100%. That district has been “safe” since 1990, even though it should have flipped several times. I watched excellent Dems run for the seat, only to lose to Gerry Mander and GOP money.
Jennifer,
Your writing is clear, a little amusing, and well-crafted. Thanks for sharing your adventures. You & Barry are admirably brave. But, we miss your presence with us in Fridays.
Hi Bev,
Thanks for the positive comments on my blog posts. It is good to know they are appreciated. I do miss the Friday nights. They were so uplifting. We do have an expat group here that meets at different restaurants on Friday nights, but it is not the same as great music and a chance to dance.
Jennifer
Hello there…I have not seen any blogging as of recent. Really enjoy reading about your adventures. I hope all is well and you’re enjoying your time in Albania.
Your friend,
LaDawn
Hi LaDawn,
Thank you for your comment. It is encouraging to know you have enjoyed my blog posts. Barry just posted a short post about our recent interesting medical activities. I plan to write a post with a little more detail. Stay tuned!