On-Duty Pharmacies in Cotonou (24/7): Updated List and Numbers (2026)
Three in the morning. A fever of 39.5°C, an empty box of ibuprofen, a crying child. Knowing exactly where to go at that moment is what this page gives you.
In short: finding an on-duty pharmacy tonight in Cotonou (2026)
- Free WhatsApp number: send your neighborhood to +229 56 19 19 19 (PharMap) to immediately receive the address and phone number of the nearest on-duty pharmacy.
- Life-threatening emergencies: SAMU Bénin (national emergency medical service) at 112 or the Fire Service at 118.
- Duty hours: from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM the next morning (no night-time price surcharge).
- Night access: ring at the secured night window on the side of the pharmacy with your prescription and cash / Mobile Money.
In Cotonou, on-duty pharmacies operate under a weekly rotation program set by the Ordre National des Pharmaciens du Bénin (ONPB, Benin's national pharmacists' association) for the Littoral department. The system covers the city's 13 districts (arrondissements). It's organized and it works — but you need to know how to access it.
Resources to save on your phone right now
Before even checking the list below, save these contacts. They're the only ones you'll actually use at 2 AM.
Life-threatening emergencies
- SAMU Bénin (emergency medical service): 112 (free national number)
- Fire Service (Sapeurs-Pompiers): 118
- Police Emergency (Police Secours): 117
Finding the on-duty pharmacy in your area
- PharMap via WhatsApp: send your neighborhood to +229 56 19 19 19 — you'll get the address of the nearest on-duty pharmacy within minutes
- ONPB (official source): onpb.bj → Tour de garde / Programme Littoral section, updated every Monday morning
- Vihintoh: vihintoh.bj — a platform you can filter by date and by area
- PharMap app: available on Google Play and the App Store, with real-time location of on-duty pharmacies
These resources give you the dynamic, weekly program. The list below is a basic directory of pharmacies across the city: it helps you spot the pharmacies in your neighborhood, not tell you which one is on duty this particular week.
Need urgent medical guidance? Also see our full guide on medical emergencies and SAMU in Cotonou.
List of Cotonou pharmacies by district
This list covers pharmacies located across Cotonou's 13 districts. Some take part in the ONPB's weekly duty rotation. Before any night-time trip, check on PharMap or onpb.bj that the pharmacy is actually on duty this week.
Data drawn from professional directories, public listings, and Go Africa Online. Verify by phone before traveling.
1st district — Dantokpa, Vèdoko, Tokpa
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Dantokpa | Dantokpa | 21 31 40 20 |
| Pharmacie Vèdoko Marché | Vèdoko | 21 31 58 77 |
| Pharmacie Tokpa-Tokpa | Tokpa | 21 31 22 10 |
2nd district — Kpondehou, Sènàdé
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Kpondehou | Kpondehou | 21 32 06 14 |
| Pharmacie Sènadé | Sènàdé | 21 32 44 51 |
3rd district — Adogleta, Gbènonkpo
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Adogleta | Adogleta | 21 33 15 89 |
| Pharmacie Gbènonkpo | Gbènonkpo | 21 33 27 04 |
4th district — Fidjrossè, Enagnon
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Fidjrossè Centre | Fidjrossè | 21 37 08 62 |
| Pharmacie Enagnon | Enagnon | 21 37 44 19 |
5th district — Haie Vive, Les Cocotiers
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Haie Vive | Haie Vive | 21 30 10 25 |
| Pharmacie Les Cocotiers | Les Cocotiers | 21 30 06 92 |
| Pharmacie de la Zone Résidentielle | Haie Vive | 21 30 22 81 |
6th district — Djidjo, Ahouansori
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Djidjo | Djidjo | 21 30 55 33 |
| Pharmacie Ahouansori | Ahouansori | 21 30 61 48 |
7th district — Gbégamey, Saint-Michel
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Saint-Michel | Saint-Michel | 21 30 88 70 |
| Pharmacie Gbégamey | Gbégamey | 21 30 73 12 |
| Pharmacie Jonquet | Jonquet | 21 31 62 69 / 21 31 20 80 |
8th district — Sainte-Rita, Étoile Rouge
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Sainte-Rita | Sainte-Rita | 21 31 04 55 |
| Pharmacie Étoile Rouge | Étoile Rouge | 21 31 19 88 |
9th district — Ménontin, Zogbo
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Agla | Agla | 21 38 07 63 |
| Pharmacie Ménontin | Ménontin | 21 38 21 40 |
| Pharmacie Zogbo | Zogbo | 21 38 55 19 |
10th district — Yénawa, Sikècodji
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Camp Ghézo | Camp Ghézo / Ganhi | 21 31 35 35 / 21 31 63 53 |
| Pharmacie Yénawa | Yénawa | 21 31 88 24 |
| Pharmacie Sikècodji | Sikècodji | 21 31 74 06 |
11th district — Cadjèhoun, Vòdjè
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Adéchina | Cadjèhoun | 21 32 15 65 / 21 32 41 00 |
| Pharmacie Cadjèhoun Centre | Cadjèhoun | 21 32 08 33 |
| Pharmacie Airport | Cadjèhoun (near the airport) | 21 30 50 17 |
12th district — Fidjrossè Kpota, Agla
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Agla Centre | Agla | 21 38 33 70 |
| Pharmacie Fidjrossè Kpota | Fidjrossè Kpota | 21 37 55 08 |
13th district — Houènoussou, Agla Nord
| Pharmacy | Neighborhood | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Houènoussou | Houènoussou | 21 38 80 42 |
| Pharmacie Agla Nord | Agla Nord | 21 38 69 15 |
Note: This list is a basic directory, not the weekly duty roster. Pharmacies in bold are among the best known and best signposted in their area. To find out which one is actually on duty this week, check onpb.bj or send your location on PharMap WhatsApp (+229 56 19 19 19).
Over time, iCotonou.com will analyze historical ONPB data to identify rotation patterns by district, so you can anticipate which pharmacy is likely to be on duty in your area.
On-duty pharmacies in Greater Cotonou: Godomey, Abomey-Calavi, and neighboring towns
Do you live in Godomey, Calavi, Sèmè-Kpodji, or along the Cocotomey corridor? You're outside the perimeter of Cotonou's 13 districts. The duty program that applies to you is the one for the Atlantique department, published separately by the ONPB.
It's not the same list. It's not the same program. And that's exactly why many residents of Greater Cotonou never find the right on-duty pharmacy: they're looking in the wrong department.
For the Atlantique program: check onpb.bj → Tour de garde section → select Atlantique (not Littoral).
Pharmacies in Godomey and Abomey-Calavi (basic directory)
Data drawn from UbiPharm directories, Go Africa Online, and public listings. Verify by phone before a night-time trip.
| Pharmacy | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie Godomey Centre | Godomey | 21 35 10 95 / 68 90 09 00 |
| Pharmacie La Concorde | Godomey | 21 35 04 52 |
| Pharmacie Deo Gratias | Cocotomey | 21 04 76 93 |
| Pharmacie Akassato | Akassato | 21 04 90 72 / 95 84 69 10 |
| Pharmacie Alheri Glodenou | Godomey | 96 51 00 75 |
| Pharmacie Le Président | Godomey | 21 35 13 39 |
| Pharmacie Ste Adèle de l'Échange | Godomey (Échangeur) | 21 35 02 20 |
| Pharmacie Maria-Gleta | Godomey | 21 35 18 44 |
| Pharmacie Alpha Omega | Godomey / Pahou | 21 04 55 67 |
Important notes for Greater Cotonou
- The emergency number stays the same: SAMU 112, Fire Service 118, PharMap WhatsApp
+229 56 19 19 19 - Vihintoh (vihintoh.bj) lets you filter by municipality, including Abomey-Calavi — often the fastest method for these areas
- Night-time coverage is less dense than in Cotonou. In a genuine emergency from Godomey, the CNHU-HKM (national teaching hospital) remains reachable in under 20 minutes depending on traffic
How the duty system works in Benin
The pharmacy duty program isn't random. It's a regulated mechanism, managed district by district.
The Ordre National des Pharmaciens du Bénin (ONPB) sets the Duty Program — Littoral department every week, covering Cotonou. This program is published every Monday morning on onpb.bj. Every pharmacy registered with the Order enters the rotation according to a schedule set in advance.
What this means in practice:
- One or two pharmacies per district are designated on duty each week
- They provide continuous coverage from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM the next morning
- On weekends and public holidays, the same program stays in effect
- Every pharmacy is legally required to post the list of on-duty pharmacies for its district for the current week in its window
On weekends, some central areas (5th, 7th, 10th districts) have more pharmacies in rotation. On the outskirts, coverage is denser in the 9th and 12th districts.
Getting served at night: the exact process
Many people show up at an on-duty pharmacy at night and leave without medication because they don't realize they need to ring the bell. The main door is locked.
Here's what happens:
1. Arrive at the pharmacy — The shutter or gate is down. That's normal.
2. Look for the night window — It's usually on the side or directly on the storefront, with a bell and sometimes an intercom. Ring it.
3. Present your prescription — The pharmacist or assistant will serve you through the secured window. No need to go inside.
What to bring with you:
- Your prescription (valid if dated the same day or the day before for urgent prescriptions)
- An ID
- Cash or Mobile Money (MTN MoMo, Moov Money) — few pharmacies accept bank cards at night
On pricing: no duty surcharge applies. The price of approved medications in Benin is regulated by the Agence Nationale de Régulation Pharmaceutique (ANRP, the national pharmaceutical regulatory agency). You pay the same price as during the day.
Over-the-counter medications at night: what's accessible
Some common medications are dispensed without a prescription, even at night. This includes mild painkillers (paracetamol, standard-dose ibuprofen), antihistamines, oral rehydration salts, certain antispasmodics, and dressings.
What requires a prescription, even in a night-time emergency: antibiotics, level 2 and 3 painkillers, benzodiazepines and anti-anxiety medication, and codeine-based medications. The on-duty pharmacist is legally required to refuse without a valid prescription. This isn't reluctance — it's drug safety oversight (pharmacovigilance).
If you need an emergency prescription at night, the fastest option is to go through the emergency department at CNHU-HKM or a private clinic open 24/7, where a doctor can see you and write the prescription on the spot.
Pediatric emergency at night? Our guide on pediatrics and maternity care in Cotonou lists the specialized children's emergency services available at night.
Night-time fever in Cotonou: when to think about malaria
This is the most common scenario behind a 2 AM search for an on-duty pharmacy in Cotonou. A sudden fever, chills, muscle aches. The natural reflex is to take a painkiller and wait.
That's often the wrong call.
Malaria is endemic in Benin. Cotonou is classified as an area of year-round transmission. An untreated night-time fever can progress quickly, particularly in children under 5, pregnant women, and people without acquired immunity (recently arrived expatriates).
What to do if you suspect a night-time malaria fever
Step 1: the rapid diagnostic test (RDT)
Malaria RDTs are available at on-duty pharmacies without a prescription. These are strip tests you can use at home, giving a result in 15 to 20 minutes. Ask the on-duty pharmacist for a rapid malaria test or Plasmodium RDT. Prices range from 500 to 1,500 FCFA depending on the pharmacy.
Step 2: interpreting the result
- Positive RDT: go without delay to a clinic or the CNHU emergency department. A doctor will determine the appropriate treatment (type of Plasmodium, severity, at-risk patient or not). Do not start malaria treatment without medical confirmation.
- Negative RDT: malaria is unlikely, but a fever of 39°C or higher always warrants a consultation. Night-time emergency departments are open.
Step 3: treatment
The reference treatment in Benin for uncomplicated malaria is an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), such as Coartem. These medications are available at pharmacies, but dispensing them without a prescription is at the pharmacist's discretion and depends on the clinical presentation. For simple cases in healthy adults, some on-duty pharmacists will dispense based on a positive RDT alone. For children, pregnant women, and complicated cases: always go to a hospital.
Watch out for counterfeit medication: in Benin, as in other West African countries, counterfeit or under-dosed antimalarials circulate through informal channels (markets, street vendors). Buy only from a licensed pharmacy. A box of Coartem priced unusually low is a red flag.
Summary: night-time fever decision guide
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Fever < 38.5°C, adult, no warning signs | Paracetamol, hydration, monitor until morning |
| Fever ≥ 38.5°C, adult, no prior history | RDT at an on-duty pharmacy → consultation if positive |
| Fever in a child under 5 | Go directly to pediatric emergency (HOMEL or a clinic) |
| Fever + chills + vomiting + confusion | SAMU 112 or CNHU emergency department immediately |
| Pregnant woman with fever | Go directly to HOMEL emergency department, without waiting |
Severe malaria can kill within 24 hours. Self-medicating without a diagnosis is dangerous. These recommendations do not replace a doctor's advice.
If no on-duty pharmacy is reachable
It happens. Car trouble, an outlying neighborhood, a poorly covered area. A few alternatives:
Hospitals with a night-time dispensary
- CNHU-HKM (Centre National Hospitalier Universitaire Hubert Koutoukou Maga, the national teaching hospital):
+229 01 21 30 06 56— emergency department open 24/7, on-site dispensary - HOMEL (Hôpital de la Mère et de l'Enfant - Lagune, the mother-and-child hospital):
+229 21 31 31 28— specialized in women and children, night-time emergency care
Private clinics with an in-house pharmacy
- Clinique Mahouna (Patte d'Oie):
+229 21 30 14 35 - Clinique Internationale Cotonou Aupiais (CICA):
+229 21 30 78 86 - Polyclinique Les Cocotiers:
+229 21 30 12 76
These facilities keep medication in stock for their inpatients and can, in some cases, help with a life-threatening emergency prescription.
For a full picture of Cotonou's private and public healthcare system, see our guide to clinics and hospitals in Cotonou.
FAQ: On-duty pharmacies in Cotonou
How do I know which pharmacy is on duty this week in my neighborhood?
Two reliable methods: send a WhatsApp message with your neighborhood to +229 56 19 19 19 (the PharMap service, replies within minutes), or check the weekly program published every Monday on onpb.bj under Tour de garde / Littoral. Pharmacies in your area also post this program in their window.
Are there price surcharges at an on-duty pharmacy at night?
No. Medication prices are set and controlled by the Agence Nationale de Régulation Pharmaceutique (ANRP). No surcharge for night duty, weekends, or public holidays can legally be applied.
Can medication be delivered to your home at night in Cotonou?
The PharMap app offers, depending on availability, a delivery service for certain partner pharmacies. This service isn't guaranteed and depends on the on-duty pharmacy and neighborhood. Expect at least 30 to 60 minutes. For a genuine emergency, going in person remains safer.
What's the difference between weekday duty and weekend duty?
The operating hours are the same (8 PM–8 AM), but the programs differ. Some central districts have denser coverage on weekends. The ONPB program always specifies which pharmacies are on duty Monday through Friday, and which take over on Saturday and Sunday.
What should I do if the on-duty pharmacy is closed despite the program?
This is rare but can happen (a pharmacy temporarily closed, an exceptional issue). In that case, call the next pharmacy on the ONPB list for your district, or use PharMap to find the next one in rotation. As a last resort, CNHU's hospital emergency department always has essential medication on hand.
Is traditional Beninese medicine an alternative?
For non-urgent situations, yes. Benin has a well-documented tradition of herbal medicine (phytotherapy). Our article on traditional medicine and phytotherapy in Benin details commonly used plants and precautions to know. For an emergency, conventional pharmacy remains the only answer.
List of pharmacies drawn from public professional directories (Go Africa Online, UbiPharm directories, ONPB data). Verify numbers by phone before traveling. Last updated: July 2026. iCotonou.com is working on analyzing historical ONPB data for weekly rotation patterns by district — coming soon.