practical · 5 May 2026
Pharmacies and Prescriptions in China: A Practical Guide
Chinese pharmacies (药店) are numerous, well-stocked, and open long hours. Foreign prescriptions are not accepted directly, but many common medications are available over the counter. Here is how the system works.
By Jamie Wu · Editorial writer, China Visit Guide
China has one of the densest pharmacy networks in the world. Finding a pharmacy in any Chinese city is a matter of walking a short block — the green cross sign (similar to the European pharmacy symbol) marks retail pharmacy locations, which appear at intervals comparable to convenience stores in major urban areas. For visitors who need medication during their trip, or for expats establishing a supply of ongoing medication, understanding how the system works makes the process considerably less stressful.
Types of pharmacy
Retail chain pharmacies (零售药店, língshōu yàodiàn): the most accessible option for visitors. Major chains include Guoda (国大药房), Yixintang (一心堂), Laohao (老号大药房), and the international-oriented Watson's (屈臣氏). Most are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; many 24-hour locations exist in city centres. Over-the-counter medication is available without any prescription at retail pharmacies.
Hospital pharmacies (医院药房, yīyuàn yàofáng): located within hospital outpatient departments. Stock the full range of prescription medications but require a Chinese-issued prescription from that hospital's doctor. International clinics can also issue prescriptions that are filled at associated pharmacies.
Online pharmacies: major Chinese e-commerce platforms (JD Health, Ali Health) operate licensed online pharmacies with next-day delivery. For non-urgent over-the-counter items, this is a convenient option for expat residents.
What is available over the counter
Over-the-counter availability in China is broader than in most Western countries for non-controlled medications:
Pain relief and fever: paracetamol (acetaminophen) as Tylenol or Chinese generics; ibuprofen (布洛芬, bùluòfēn); aspirin.
Antihistamines: cetirizine (西替利嗪), loratadine (氯雷他定), and diphenhydramine available without prescription.
Gastrointestinal: antacids, bismuth-based products, oral rehydration salts (ORS), activated charcoal for mild food poisoning, and proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole is sometimes available OTC).
Antifungal and topical: clotrimazole, miconazole, and various antifungal creams available without prescription.
Antibiotics: antibiotic availability OTC has been tightening since regulations introduced in the early 2020s. Amoxicillin and some other common antibiotics may still be obtainable without prescription at some pharmacies, but the trend is toward requiring a prescription.
Ongoing medications: common chronic condition medications — antihypertensives (amlodipine, losartan), statins (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin), metformin for diabetes — are available at retail pharmacies under Chinese brand names. Pharmacists can identify the Chinese equivalent of a Western brand-name medication if shown the original packaging or prescription.
What requires a Chinese prescription
Controlled substances — opioids, benzodiazepines, and other scheduled drugs — require a Chinese prescription regardless of what a foreign prescription says. The Chinese scheduling system does not map exactly onto Western schedules: some medications available OTC in Western countries require a prescription in China, and vice versa.
Foreign prescriptions are not legally valid in China. This creates a practical gap for expats or long-term visitors who arrive with an existing prescription for a controlled medication. The pragmatic solution for non-controlled ongoing medications is to show the original prescription or medication packaging to the pharmacist and ask for the Chinese equivalent (相同的药, xiāngtóng de yào — "the same medicine"). For controlled medications, a Chinese clinic or hospital visit is necessary to obtain a valid prescription.
Importing medication
Visitors who need to bring prescription medication for personal use should carry it in the original packaging with a copy of the prescription. Chinese customs allows personal quantities of most medication — typically defined as a 30-day supply for the average customs officer's interpretation, though the regulation specifies "personal reasonable use." Controlled substances (opioids, certain anxiety medications) require advance customs declaration and may require documentation from a Chinese embassy or consulate. Carry a letter from your prescribing doctor in English with the Chinese name of the medication.
The Chinese customs prohibited list for medication includes some items that are OTC in Western countries — certain diet supplements, some pseudoephedrine-containing products, and some traditional medicine compounds. Check with the Chinese embassy of your departure country for current guidance.
Getting a new prescription in China
Public hospital outpatient: a Chinese public hospital outpatient (门诊, ménjìn) department is the cheapest option but involves queuing and a consultation in Chinese. Basic consultations cost ¥10–30. Medications prescribed at the consultation are filled at the hospital pharmacy at subsidised prices.
International clinic: private international clinics in major cities provide English-speaking consultations. Consultation fees range significantly by clinic and city. Medications prescribed here are available at retail pharmacies or the clinic's own pharmacy.
Online doctor consultation: Chinese health apps (Ping An Good Doctor, Ali Health Doctor) offer video consultations with Chinese-licensed doctors in English or with translation. For straightforward prescription renewals, this is a viable option.
Medication costs
Prescription medication in China is considerably cheaper than in the United States and comparable to or cheaper than European pricing:
- Paracetamol: ¥5–15 per pack
- Five-day antibiotic course: ¥30–80
- Monthly antihypertensive: ¥20–100 depending on brand
Generic Chinese medications are cheaper than international brand names. Pharmacists default to Chinese generics unless asked otherwise.
Tags
pharmacy, health, practical, medication, living, expat
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