Getting sick away from home is stressful. In Toronto, you're well covered — 24-hour pharmacies sit within minutes of downtown, most common medications are available over the counter, and walk-in clinics don't require an appointment or a local doctor.
The Two Main Pharmacy Chains
Shoppers Drug Mart (Most Common)
Canada's largest pharmacy chain, with dozens of locations across Toronto. The most useful for FIFA visitors:
- 700 Bay St (downtown core) — Open 24 hours. Full pharmacy counter and drug store. 15 min by TTC from BMO Field.
- 832 King St W (King West) — Open until midnight. Walking distance from most fan accommodation in the west end. ~20 min walk from BMO Field.
- 1030 Dundas St W (Parkdale) — Open until midnight. Closest major pharmacy to the Liberty Village / stadium area.
- 700 Lawrence Ave W — Open 24 hours. If you're staying north of downtown.
Rexall
Canada's second-largest chain. 24-hour location at 2300 Yonge St. Also 101 Front St E near Union Station, open until 9 PM most days.
What You Can Buy Without a Prescription
In Ontario, the following are available over-the-counter — no doctor visit required:
- Pain / fever: Advil (ibuprofen), Tylenol (acetaminophen), Aspirin, Aleve (naproxen)
- Allergies: Reactine (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- Stomach / nausea: Imodium (loperamide), Pepto-Bismol, Gravol (dimenhydrinate), Tums, Gaviscon
- Cold & flu: DayQuil/NyQuil, Robitussin, Buckley's (a Canadian classic — it tastes awful, it works)
- Topical antibiotic: Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin)
- Heartburn: Omeprazole (Prilosec), Pepcid, Gaviscon
- Eye drops: Visine, Refresh Tears
- Antifungal: Canesten (clotrimazole)
What Requires a Prescription
Antibiotics, antivirals, most blood pressure / diabetes medications, and controlled substances require a valid Canadian prescription. An Ontario pharmacist cannot fill a prescription written in another country without verification.
Important: If you take medication regularly, bring a 2–3 week supply from home plus the original prescription label. If you've run out, see a walk-in clinic (below) — they can issue a Canadian prescription on the same visit.
Walk-In Clinics — No Appointment Needed
For flu, minor infections, injuries, medication refills, or anything that doesn't warrant an ER visit:
- Appletree Medical Group — Multiple downtown locations, open 7 days/week, many until 8–9 PM. Check real-time wait times at appletreemedical.com.
- MCI The Doctor's Office (66 Gerrard St E) — Downtown walk-in, open 7 days.
- Medicentres (various) — Extended evening and weekend hours.
Cost: Ontario provincial health insurance (OHIP) does not cover international visitors. Expect to pay $100–$200 CAD per visit. Bring your travel insurance details — most insurers require you to notify them before or during treatment. Keep the claim number on your phone.
Virtual Care (Fastest for Minor Issues)
Several Canadian telehealth services let you video-call a doctor within minutes and get a prescription sent to a nearby pharmacy:
- Maple (getmaple.ca) — Available 24/7, ~$75 CAD per consultation, can issue prescriptions for common conditions. Best option after midnight.
- Wello — Similar pricing and availability.
Hospitals (Serious or Emergency)
Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies. For urgent but non-life-threatening situations, the closest major hospitals to fan accommodation areas:
- St. Michael's Hospital — 30 Bond St, downtown. ER open 24/7.
- Toronto General Hospital — 200 Elizabeth St. Closest major hospital to the downtown hotel corridor.
- Toronto Western Hospital — 399 Bathurst St. Closest to Liberty Village and BMO Field area.
Non-residents are billed for all hospital services. Most travel insurance policies cover emergency treatment — call your insurer's 24-hour line before heading to a hospital if the situation allows.
Quick Reference
- Life-threatening emergency: 911
- Non-emergency police: 416-808-2222
- Poison Control: 1-800-268-9017
- 24-hr pharmacy (downtown): Shoppers Drug Mart, 700 Bay St
- Telehealth (any hour): getmaple.ca — ~$75 CAD for a consultation + prescription
- Walk-in clinic wait times: appletreemedical.com