How Foreigners Can Purchase Medicine in China

Pharmacies in China are marked with a green cross and can be found on almost every corner.

While finding a pharmacy might be easy, locating one with English-speaking staff can be challenging. If you’re lucky, you might come across a pharmacy with a bilingual medical directory or staff who can speak a few words of English (though not medical terms).

Fortunately, many boxes of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have the English generic name printed on them, but the usage instructions and warnings are typically in Chinese. When you find the medication you need, make sure to bring the box with you next time you visit a pharmacy, as this will make the process smoother.

You can also get medication from hospitals and foreign clinics, though these are more expensive. Foreign clinics typically stock imported medications you might be accustomed to using at home, but you’ll pay significantly more for them than you would at home. On the other hand, many common Chinese medicines are priced at just a few dollars.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications sold in Chinese pharmacies are similar to those available in most Western countries, though they might not carry the specific brands you’re used to. In the past, many drugs requiring a prescription in other countries were freely available in China, but this has changed due to stricter regulations. However, some pharmacies might still sell prescription drugs without a prescription if you sign a waiver that absolves them of any liability for harm you may cause to yourself.

Prescription Medications

The process of obtaining a prescription in China is similar to that in other countries. You’ll need a prescription slip from a doctor, which you can then take to a pharmacy to purchase your medication. Chinese pharmacies do not recognize any prescriptions from abroad. If you have a prescription from your home country, you’ll need to take it to a Chinese doctor and obtain a new Chinese prescription.

Some prescriptions you take at home may not be available in China, so it’s essential to bring a sufficient supply of any necessary medication and keep the original prescription slip in case you’re stopped by customs. If you urgently need a medication in China that isn’t available on the mainland, you may be able to obtain it in Hong Kong.